Daily Readings - Sun Oct 01 2017
Ezekiel
25"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?26When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die.27Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life.28Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Philippians
1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Matthew
28"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'29And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went.30And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go.31Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about justice, humility, and the call to live out our faith authentically. The first reading from Ezekiel challenges us to reflect on God’s justice and our own responsibility. Ezekiel emphasizes that God’s ways are fair, and it is we who often stray from the path of righteousness. This passage invites us to consider our own lives—where are we turning away from justice and toward sin? Ezekiel reassures us that repentance is always possible; turning back to God can lead to life and renewal.
The second reading from Philippians shifts our focus to the importance of humility and unity in our communities. Paul encourages us to have the same mind as Christ, who emptied himself for the sake of others. This is not a call to self-deprecation but to selfless love. Paul reminds us that true joy comes from being of one mind and heart, esteeming others better than ourselves. This passage challenges us to examine our relationships—do we seek to serve others or to elevate ourselves? It calls us to a way of life that mirrors Christ’s humility and compassion.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about two sons, one who refuses to obey but later repents, and another who promises to obey but does not. Jesus uses this story to highlight the importance of actions over words. The tax collectors and prostitutes, who were considered outcasts, believed John the Baptist and changed their lives, while the religious leaders refused to repent. This parable challenges us to reflect on our own response to God’s call. Are we like the first son, who initially resists but ultimately does the will of the father? Or are we like the second son, who promises much but fails to act?
These readings remind us that faith is not just about what we say but about how we live. Ezekiel calls us to repentance and justice, Philippians to humility and unity, and the Gospel to obedience and authenticity. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects these values? Are we turning away from sin and toward God? Are we serving others with humility? Let us strive to be like the first son, who, despite initial resistance, ultimately did the will of the father. May we repent, turn to God, and live in a way that truly reflects the love and justice of Christ.