Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 1, 2017
First Reading: Ezekiel 18.25-28
25"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?26If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die.27But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life.28Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die.
Psalm 25
1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;2in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.3No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.4Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;5guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.6Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.7Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.9He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.10All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.11For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.12Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.13He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.14The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.17The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.18Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.19See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!20Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.21May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.22Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Second Reading: Philippians 2.1-5
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Gospel: Matthew 21.28-32
28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'29"'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?The first," they answered.32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent 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.