Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 2023

Title

The Way of the Lord is Fair

Outline

A student wants the credit but has not completed the work

The argument might be that there was an undue amount of work, that something had happened in their family or health, or that they realized something else was more important. I am sure that you know examples.

Our Ezekiel reading gives such examples: “the way of the Lord is not fair.”

A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step

But, as we see in the fable of the tortoise and the hare it does not end with the first step.

This is also in Jesus’ saying: it is the one who actually finishes life in holiness who is approved, not the one who says he will do what is asked of him.

And so our Pauline text today

The journey of sanctification does not just begin with but ends with:

“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] everyone for those of others,” which Paul goes on to say is being like Christ. And being like Christ, divinization, is the goal of the Christian life.

Brothers and Sisters, this is so relevant to us all the time

I just finished a seminar on the Liber Christo method of dealing with demonic influence, which basically means dealing with most by getting one’s life spiritually and morally and ecclesiastically in order, with help from a priest and mentors in stages two and three. Over 96 - 99% never need to see an exorcist.

It is not just singing “I have decided to follow Jesus” or getting the right cleric to celebrate the right ritual of initiation but actually by the grace of God following Jesus realizing that there are forces out there who will do their best to get you off the path into something seemingly more comfortable.

That is why if someone comes to confession who is stuck in frequently repeated instances of the same mortal sin I have to discern if they simply want cleansing without change or really want to be free of the sin, while knowing it will likely be a process.

But if we realize that the life leading to union with Christ is usually a long distance race in which we need to keep our eyes on the goal, strip away anything that slows us down, and yet beware that someone is stretching trip wires over the track, we can make it and make it well, for our Lord has his agents at our side handing us nourishment, picking us up and getting us going again if we trip, pointing out the obstacles, and keeping us oriented towards the goal. Thanks be to God.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 10-1-2023: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 18:25–28

25 You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair? Are not your ways unfair? 26 When the just turn away from justice to do evil and die, on account of the evil they did they must die. 27 But if the wicked turn from the wickedness they did and do what is right and just, they save their lives; 28 since they turned away from all the sins they committed, they shall live; they shall not die.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-1-2023: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Psalm 25:6a

6 Remember your compassion and your mercy, O LORD,

for they are ages old.

PSALM

Psalm 25:4–9

4 Make known to me your ways, LORD;

teach me your paths.

5 Guide me by your fidelity and teach me,

for you are God my savior,

for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your compassion and your mercy, O LORD,

for they are ages old.

7 Remember no more the sins of my youth;

remember me according to your mercy,

because of your goodness, LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD,

therefore he shows sinners the way,

9 He guides the humble in righteousness,

and teaches the humble his way.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-1-2023: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND READING

Option A

Philippians 2:1–11

1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.

5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,

6 Who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

7 Rather, he emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

coming in human likeness;

and found human in appearance,

8 he humbled himself,

becoming obedient to death,

even death on a cross.

9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name

that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-1-2023: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 10:27

27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

GOSPEL

Matthew 21:28–32

28 “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.’ 29 He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 31 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. 32  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.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 10-1-2023: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023 | ORDINARY TIME

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR A | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Ezekiel 18:25–28

Response Psalm 25:6a

Psalm Psalm 25:4–9

Second Reading Philippians 2:1–11 or Philippians 2:1–5

Gospel Acclamation John 10:27

Gospel Matthew 21:28–32