Daily Readings - Sun Oct 01 2017
First Reading - Ezekiel 18.25-28
Ezekiel
25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?26When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.27Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.28Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Second Reading - Philippians 2.1-5
Philippians
1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Gospel - Matthew 21.28-32
Matthew
28But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might 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.