Gospel Delights!

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez 18:25-28; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32

This Sunday invites us to have the same mind as Christ, who was humble and obedient to the Father even unto death on the cross. 

The parable of the two sons highlights the necessity for an immediate answer. Jesus raises two questions: ‘What is your opinion?’ and ‘Which of the two did his father’s will?’ While the first question seeks their opinion, the second demands their decision. 

The tone remains the same in the first reading as well. To those who blame Him, God is directing the question: ‘Is it my way that is unfair or yours?’ While God is very strong in His assertions, he makes it clear that only repentance is the way to eternal life. 

The gospel passage offers a beautiful example of ‘sincerity vs. pretension.’ The response of the first son flows out of spontaneity. His ‘no’ is spontaneous, as is his repentance. Upon self-examination, he has the courage to correct himself. His sincerity begets humility, with which repentance becomes possible for him. 

The second son’s response is marked by cleverness, as he knows how to please his father. Once he answers in affirmation to make his father happy, he does not feel guilty to carry on with his deceptive scheme. 

We don’t know whether the father took care to find out who was sincere and who cheated on him. However, God is concerned about our attitude. Externality is the only criterion that humans use for judgement. In that sense, we are very limited in our capacity. But only God can see through our hearts and our intentions. The internal forum is God’s chamber. 

That is why St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that we should have the same mind as Christ, who, in his humble obedience, gave his life on the cross. Paul helps us understand that the ‘mind or attitude of Christ’ is the only ‘moral yardstick’ for Christians. 

Let us pray for the grace to possess ‘Christ’s mind and attitude,’ so that it becomes our internal guide in our journey of discipleship!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar