Tag: Year A

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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of many roads going in different directions and many confusing street signs

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Mass readings

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10A
Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-6
Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101120.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

What an interestingly odd Gospel reading today. Don’t you think? Those who are invited turn their backs and are destroyed. Those who are invited and come are not guaranteed to remain. How is that fair?

Ok, maybe this reading isn’t as odd as it is disturbing. Why would those invited not come? Well, it’s all about distraction. In the Gospel, they are so caught up in their own lives – their businesses and their busyness – that they ignore the invitation.

Now maybe we can all relate to this in some way. We get caught up in work or in our activities, binge-watching a show or glued to social media. Have you ever looked up and thought to yourself, “Where did all the time go?” These little distractions can amount to sins if they keep us from our true purpose.

In The Screwtape Letters, “Letter 12”, C.S. Lewis writes, “You can keep him up late at night, not roistering, but staring at a dead fire in a cold room. All the healthy and outgoing activities which we want him to avoid can be inhibited and nothing given in return, so that at last he may say, as one of my own patients said on his arrival down here, ‘I now see that I spent most of my life doing neither what I ought nor what I liked.”

Sound familiar? These distractions that keep us from doing what we ought or what we like can seem so important in the moment. Believe me – I’ve been there and done that – and sometimes I think I keep falling into the same trap! Technology makes it all too easy to get lost on three-hour tour of nothing!

God invites us. We are invited! The first reading gives us a wonderful description: rich foods, choice wines, where death is destroyed and every tear is wiped away (Isaiah 25:6, 8). We are invited, but God will not make us come to him. We must freely choose. So, in the Gospel account those who chose to ignore eventually experienced the reality of their poor choices. They were wiped out!

What about the person who was invited and came to the party without a proper wedding garment? I think this person is like the bench warmer. You know the type – the person who comes to mass for any reason except out of commitment to Jesus Christ. This person might come out of obligation. Worse still, this person participates in the Eucharist – a taste of the heavenly banquet – but is not converted. They are so filled with their own sense of right and wrong that the words of Scripture can’t penetrate the heart. But really, this person comes without a wedding garment. In other words, the person does not come predisposed to the saving grace offered by God through his church.

C.S. Lewis closes this letter this way, “You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy [meaning God]. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

Whoa! Listen, I wouldn’t recommend listen to the dramatized version of the Screwtape Letters, like the Radio Theatre version, on a cold, rainy night! But is this accurate? Look, most of us will never encounter the physical manifestation of evil, thank God! Lucifer’s greatest power is to plant seeds of fear and doubt. Lucifer can’t make us do anything, but by sowing doubt, discord, disunity, we put distance between ourselves and God.

Scripture says, “…let us rejoice and exult and give him glory, because the Lamb’s wedding feast has come…” (Revelation 19:6-9). Where will you be on that day?

Homework! Nourished at the table of the Word and Sacrament, let’s reflect on the following two questions.
1. What distractions occupy too much of my time?
2. Are there things I could be doing right now to help build the kingdom of God – to help my pastor and my parish community reach out to those on the margins?

I think our homework might help us refocus our attention. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Ament!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters and Screwtape Proposes a Toast. Annotated Edition. New York: HarperOne, 2013. Kindle.
3. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus invites sinners, but demands conversion, 543-46
2. The Eucharist is the foretaste of the Messianic Banquet, 1402-05, 2837

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101120.cfm
Lectionary: 142

Reading 1
Isaiah 25:6-10A
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
a feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
the web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from every face;
the reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial
Psalm 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Reading 2
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Brothers and sisters:
I know how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia
Ephesians 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
so that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests,
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

or

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.”

Posted on

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

charlie brown and linus cartoon charlie brown says my anxieties have anxieties

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Responsorial: Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
https://deaconrudysnotes.org/

What a tumultuous time we are living in! But my brothers and sisters, I have good news! In today’s second reading, Paul tells us, “…don’t be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6). Easy for him to say, right? It seems like these times are bursting with anxiety-inducing sentiments. How many of us have heard or given out advice that you should stop watching the news right now – or at least significantly reduce your news intake? These are rocky times, to be sure.

You know, today’s second reading is part of a letter Paul sent to the community. There were two women in Philippi who were very important to the community. They were leaders of some kind – people who undoubtedly were very helpful to Paul in his ministry. Yet they had a falling out – apparently a very big falling out. So great was their influence that their argument was tearing the community apart! People were taking sides. How can the faith grow – how can anything grow in such a toxic environment!

This entire story reminds us that we can all have differences of opinions in our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and even in our towns and our nation. Exploring our differences can be helpful. The process of trying to find middle ground can yield all sorts of fruit, some sweet and some a little bitter, but that’s the nature of compromise. But sometimes our disagreements can get out of hand. If we are not careful, our disagreements can tear our families and communities apart.

Isn’t that part of the Gospel message today? Those pesky tenants thought the rules didn’t apply to them. They thought they could change the rules to suit their needs even if violence was required to advance their cause. What does Jesus say? Way wrong answer! Yet, how many people allow things to get out of hand?

A friend of mine is an episcopal priest from the east coast, and he was telling me that he’s having a hard time working with a couple. They’ve been married for over 27 years, but they are heading for divorce. They’ve made up their minds and are only seeing him to check off a box on the way to the courthouse. Why are they divorcing? Because one is voting for Biden and the other for Trump.

Can you imagine? When I was a child, the word “politician” meant dishonesty. Oh, they worked hard, and I’m not saying they are all crooks, but despite what they said during the election, they wouldn’t always do what they promised. I can’t imagine letting someone I know isn’t completely truthful between my wife and me.

How is it that we are living in a time with so much anger? I think it’s because we’ve allowed ourselves to be filled with anxiety. We’re all drinking from fire hydrants like unfiltered social media and 24/7 news programs that are anything but fair and balanced. I think we’ve let those fire hydrants push Jesus to the edge of our lives – or washed him out completely!

I’ve recently discovered a French theologian whose work I’m just starting to dig into, but one of his ideas surprised me. He says that the present is a pivot point between the past and the future. Isn’t that an interesting idea? And it ties so well not only with Paul, but all the self-help ideas I’ve heard.

Why stress over the past? It’s already happened. You can’t undo it.

Why stress over the future? Time will unfold in ways we can’t control.

Instead, focus on the present.

What does that mean? As a student of history, I would suggest that rather than stressing over the past, we try to learn from it. I don’t always follow my advice, but doesn’t that make sense? It’s not let go and move on. It’s let go and learn. What about tomorrow? Well, tomorrow – more specifically, my dreams can’t happen unless I take steps today. So, I act today, informed by the past, with an eye toward the future. I must be present right here and right now. These simple actions help us let go of anxiety. But we can do better than that!

St. Paul tells us that instead of filling ourselves with anxiety – I would say sources of anxiety like too much social media or too much news – we should fill ourselves with praise and gratitude for what we have. We should try to see in these things what God has done for us in Christ.

Homework! Nourished by the Eucharist let’s put what we’ve learned in the readings to work!

1. First, what things cause you anxiety? Are you spending too much time on social media or are you glued to the news?
2. Second, how can you help people let go of their anxiety and experience the peace of Jesus Christ?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The Church as God’s vineyard, 755
2. Gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, 1830-32
3. Prophets are the servants, Christ is the Son, 443

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
Lectionary: 139

Reading 1
Isaiah 5:1-7
Let me now sing of my friend,
my friend’s song concerning his vineyard.
My friend had a vineyard
on a fertile hillside;
he spaded it, cleared it of stones,
and planted the choicest vines;
within it he built a watchtower,
and hewed out a wine press.
Then he looked for the crop of grapes,
but what it yielded was wild grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah,
judge between me and my vineyard:
What more was there to do for my vineyard
that I had not done?
Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes,
did it bring forth wild grapes?
Now, I will let you know
what I mean to do with my vineyard:
take away its hedge, give it to grazing,
break through its wall, let it be trampled!
Yes, I will make it a ruin:
it shall not be pruned or hoed,
but overgrown with thorns and briers;
I will command the clouds
not to send rain upon it.
The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah are his cherished plant;
he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!
for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Responsorial
Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20
R. (Is 5:7a) The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Reading 2
Philippians 4:6-9
Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.

Alleluia
John 15:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord,
to go and bear fruit that will remain.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,
‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
“He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you,
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

Posted on

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of breonna taylor

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
Responsorial: Psalm 25:4-9
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 OR 2:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092720.cfm
www.deaconrudysnotes.org

As you heard the readings this weekend, what words struck you?

The readings today are rich with meaning that for many of us, it might be challenging to pick out any one message. For me, there were two lines. The first comes from the first reading from Ezekiel, “You say, ‘The LORD’s way is not fair!’” (Ezekiel 18:25, NAB). And the second line comes from the Gospel, “Jesus said to them, ‘Amen I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God’” (Matthew 21:31).

My brothers and sisters, every weekend, we are being challenged with readings that are trying to shape our discipleship. And this weekend’s readings do not disappoint! In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of two sons. The first son refuses to do what his father asked. He threw a tantrum! In a culture where sons are supposed to honor and obey their fathers, the son’s reaction is offensive. <1> But the son reconsiders and goes out into the vineyard. The second son pays lip service to his dad, saying what his dad wants to hear, but he never goes into the vineyard.

When Jesus asks people which son did his father’s will, it so obvious to everyone – even the chief priests and elders agree. But what Jesus says next shocks them. “Amen, I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 21:31). Whoa! Ezekiel’s words, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” (Ezekiel 18:25, NAB), sound so true! How is it fair that blatant sinners are getting into heaven first?

It’s like we discussed last weekend. We might start out on the same path as God, but at some point, we veer off course. We don’t know it – we might not even want to believe that we’re off course because we are so convinced in how right we are – in the soundness of our thoughts.

Gradually, we equate our way with God’s will, and we might not even realize it, but self-interest begins to creep into our thinking. Can’t we say that at some level, that’s what was operating in the minds of plantation owners in the South when they used Scripture to justify slavery and racism? They violently rejected any interpretation of God’s Revelation in Jesus Christ that challenged their way of life. The threw tantrums!

Perhaps, it’s easy to look back on history and approach it with more clarity then they had at the time. And yet, we too suffer from similar blinders to the events in our own time. That’s the only way I can come to terms with the ugliness of the many Brexit debates or the current presidential campaign in the US. We think we are so right and they are so wrong that we refuse to consider anything else. What tantrums do I throw? Maybe when we come to mass, we pay “lip service to God,” focused only on our vision of God.

Could that be why we didn’t see anything wrong with separating babies from their illegal immigrant parents? Or why we don’t object to efforts to gut access to affordable healthcare? Maybe that’s why some police convinced themselves that it’s ok to cross the line and murder black Americans in custody? Is that why police officers burst into the Breonna Taylor’s apartment and murdered her? I know we don’t have all the facts in her case. Still, I hope and pray there was something substantial to move the grand jury to acquit the police officers who killed Breonna, especially since they returned three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree against one police officer who fired blindly into three of Breonna’s white neighbors’ apartments. Where is the justice? Of course, people are upset because the poison of racism is so entrenched in our culture we can’t help but doubt the impartiality of the grand jury’s work.

Graphic that says be transformed by the eucharist. Jesus emptied himself in service to others. how can i think like Jesus thinks? www.deaconrudysnotes.org

But there is hope. Yes, even in these turbulent political times, there is hope!

St. Paul, in today’s second reading says, now listen to this: If there is any comfort in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any solidarity of the Spirit, if there is any compassion or pity, fill up my joy: [I want] you to think the same, have the same love, and be of one mind, with just a single thought, with no thoughts that are in line with selfish ambition or empty conceit. No – in humility, think of each other as your superiors; don’t be each of you looking to your own [interests]; instead, look to each other’s interest. Let your thinking be what was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:1-5).

And then Paul gives us the beautiful hymn to Jesus – Jesus took the form of a slave and emptied himself in service to others. What a challenge! My brothers and sisters, we are not called to imitate Jesus mindlessly. We are called to assimilate ourselves into Jesus’ way of thinking. <2> And we can’t do that unless we are willing to consider the possibility that we might not be as right as we think we are. We can’t assimilate ourselves into Jesus’ way of thinking unless we are ready to believe that the person with whom we disagree with is more important than the ideas we are arguing over.

May the Eucharist and the work of the Holy Spirit transform us so that we become stewards of justice in this world!

Homework! Nourished by the Eucharist today and perhaps a little troubled by the Word of God today, I ask you to do the following at least two or three times this week beginning today,

Prayerfully read and reflect on today’s second reading, Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-11, and ask yourself what you think God is asking you to do.
Here is one approach you could take:
1. Ask God what he wants you to learn from this reading.
2. Pause for a few seconds.
3. Then read the passage at least once – slowly and deliberately.
4. Pause for a few seconds.
5. Picture a small light in the very center of your body. Now picture it growing slowly. Soon your whole body is in this light. Can you feel the warmth?
6. Resting in God’s presence, think about the words of this Scripture passage. What jumps out at you? Why? What is it God is trying to show you? You may spend as much or a little time as you’d like to do this.
7. As you finish, hear Christ’s words: Go and do likewise.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit:
Cover: Breonna Taylor: Art by Ariel Sinha (IG: @arielsinhaha). Used with permission.
2nd: Deacon Rudy Villarreal. PNG file.

Notes:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
1. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010), Kindle, 275.
2. Hamm, Dennis, SJ, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics), 2013. Kindle, “The Best Example of All: Christ’s Self-Emptying Love and Service.”

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Marchionda, James, OP. “Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.” Know Before You Go. 22 September 2020. Accessed 27 September 2020. https://www.opcentral.org/node/3424.
3. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus the Lord, 201, 449
2. The Lordship of Christ, 446-461
3. The Word become flesh, 461
4. Docetism, 465
5. Christ is God and man, 472, 602, 705, 713, 1224, 2812
6. Jesus as our model, 520
7. John the Baptist, 535
8. Parables, 546
9. Life in Christ, 1694, 2842
10. Just person distinguished by habitual rectitude toward others, 1807
11. The obligation of social justice, 1928-30, 2425-26
12. Concern for others, 2635-36
13. Prayer, 2641, 2667
14. “Thy will be done,” 2822-27
15. Only Holy Spirit can give us the mind of Christ, 2842

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092720.cfm
Lectionary: 136

Reading 1
Ezekiel 18:25-28
Thus says the LORD:
You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed,
he does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Responsorial
Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Reading 2
Philippians 2:1-11
Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also for those of others.

Have in you the same attitude
that is also in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Alleluia
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
He said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”