First Reading
Ezekiel 18:25-28
1. If we turn away from wickedness we are turning toward God. Spiritual writers call this “conversion.” Are we converted just once or do we experience conversion many times in our lifetime?
2. Distress, daily conversion, and the struggle for justice; do challenges such as these become possible if Jesus is part of your daily life?
Second Reading
Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5
1. The reading says “ … humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” Who is doing this now where you live? Are people working for racial justice? What about those trying to change the climate crisis?
2. Paul begins this reading with “if there is … any participation in the Spirit.” Do you ask the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, for help in situations when you find yourself in a quandary? Do you always receive help when you ask for it?
Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
1. Using the idea of “conversion” from above,* discuss the two sons in this reading. Which one needed to change and turn toward his father? Are you presently in need of conversion in any area of your life? What counts more in building community, saying some good words, or actually doing some good deeds? At which one are you better, words or deeds?
2. According to Pope Francis what does superficial religiosity refer to? Is God always beside us to help us if
we need it? Does he tire of waiting for us to change our minds?
To the father’s invitation to go and work in the vineyard, the first son impulsively responds “no, I’m not going,” but then he repents and goes; instead the second son, who immediately replies “yes, yes dad,” does not actually do so; he doesn’t go. Obedience does not consist in saying “yes” or “no,” but always in taking action, in cultivating the vineyard, in bringing about the Kingdom of God, in doing good. With this simple example, Jesus wants to go beyond a religion understood only as an external and habitual practice, which does not affect people’s lives and attitudes, a superficial religiosity, merely “ritual,” in the ugly sense of the word. …
In today’s Gospel, the one who makes the best impression is the first brother, not because he said “no” to his father, but because after his “no” he converted to “yes,” he repented. God is patient with each of us: he does not tire, he does not desist after our “no”; he leaves us free even to distance ourselves from him and to make mistakes. Thinking about God’s patience is wonderful! How the Lord always waits for us; he is always beside us to help us; but he respects our freedom. And he anxiously awaits our “yes,” so as to welcome us anew into his fatherly arms and to fill us with his boundless mercy.
God Is Patient with Us
Pope Francis Angelus
26th Sun, Sept 27, 2020
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org