Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
27 September 2026
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
Reflection
By: Jose Paulo Gonzales
Today’s Gospel entices us into another novelty: Which of the two sons did his father’s will? As we have read and can further surmise, the first son did right by the eyes of heaven because though he made an initial “no,” he showed up for work at his father’s vineyard afterwards, turning his decision around. The appeal of the second brother is understandable being that there is only so much we can place our assurance in with others whose lives take shape and turn out beyond our awareness. We have heard it said in common: “A person’s word is his or her bond; a person is as good as his word;” but as we have seen in Scripture, not as the world runs does heaven conduct its ways; not at first instance does heaven decide who is right; and one’s words are as good as his or her actions can actualize.
A comparable example is Dimas whose story we revisit especially during Holy Week—the thief crucified to Jesus’ right. With a trail of crime that has defined his life enough to sentence him to execution, at the hour of death, Dimas could have defended himself from the charges against him; but at the sight of Jesus, even at the mockery of Gestas, Dimas admitted his guilt, recognized the innocence of Christ, and with his hopeful request, assented to Jesus’ Godship, leading Dimas to Paradise and his very canonization by Jesus, Godself.
In today’s Gospel, the first son is like the tax collectors and the prostitutes who, though morally precarious at the start, ultimately decide to turn their lives around at the mention of Jesus. The second son, on the other hand, is like the chief priests and the elders who, though seemingly agreeable, are exposed by their actions, and are found insubordinate to Jesus.
In these examples, we learn from those found righteous that it is most important not how we start, but rather, how we amend our lives as we come to know Jesus. We do not all start from the same place. How we start is greatly influenced by factors outside our control, but we all receive the grace to repent, so though in the world there is death, we can all find life in Jesus. There is no guarantee that anyone starts his or her endeavors with the purest intentions, so what matters is the humility to admit where we are failing and the ultimate decision to repent not as a one-time but a daily act of refining.
Interestingly, the greatness of some can detract them from repentance; the self-conviction of others can dissuade them from finding what is amiss; and the strife of others can beckon them toward Jesus, so given our circumstances, there are invitations to admit our need for the Lord, ground our hands in God’s work, and remain pliable in spirit to Jesus. In Jesus, as we realize in today’s Gospel, it is not prized most who appears resolute, but those who back away from sin and make amends, as is fitting to the Lord. In this, even hesitance finds grace to be called “blessed”—if it knows its rightful object—or should we say—the “Eternal Subject.”
Prayer
God, thank You for Your Presence and for Your gifts of prudence and discernment. May what we have learned from Your Gospel help our holistic refinement.
As we continue the Season of Creation, we pray for the well-being of everyone, the preservation of our environment, and the temperance not to resort helplessly to artificial means what can be left best for the nurture of human and greater natural life.
These, we ask, in Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.
