Homily – 26th Sunday – Cycle A – Fr Jeremiah Browne (#southafrica #swaziland #eswatini #Botswana)
A young priest once conducted a survey after Mass. One of the questions was: “Do you think our parish should offer an evening Bible study?” More than fifty people enthusiastically said yes.
The priest was delighted and began making plans. But an older priest suggested that perhaps he had asked the wrong question. “Next Sunday,” he said, “ask them: ‘Would you attend an evening Bible study?’” So he did. This time, only twelve people said yes.
There can be quite a difference between believing something is a good idea and actually doing something about it – between the intentions we have and the actions we undertake.
In some ways, that is what is at the heart of today’s Gospel (Matthew 21:28–32). Jesus tells the story of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first says, “I will not,” but later changes his mind and goes. The second says all the right things – but he never goes.
Neither son is perfect. The ideal response would have been to say “yes” and then go. But Jesus asks, “Which of the two did the father’s will?” The answer is obvious.
Jesus directs this parable towards the chief priests and elders. They professed faith in God, but when John the Baptist called people to repentance, they refused to change. Meanwhile, tax collectors and sinners – people whose lives had often said “no” to God – listened, repented and began to change. That’s where this Gospel becomes a mirror for us.
All of us have said “no” to God at different times – not necessarily with our lips, but through our choices, our priorities and the way we have treated others. But “no” doesn’t have to be our final answer.
Peter denied even knowing Jesus, but later gave his life for him. Paul persecuted the early Christians, but became one of the Church’s greatest missionaries.
Our past doesn’t have to determine our future. Our history is not our destiny. A sin can be forgiven. A mistake can be rectified. A relationship can begin to heal. A habit can be changed. A “no” can become a “yes.”
The question for us today isn’t simply, “Do I believe in God?” Most of us gathered here would readily answer yes. The more challenging question is: Where is that “yes” visible in my life?
Is it visible in the way I speak about people; in my willingness to forgive; in my honesty; in my compassion for those who are struggling; in the time I make for God?
Jesus uses the parable of the two sons to give a wake-up call to the chief priests and elders, and to us. He makes it clear that the profession of our faith alone is not enough but that our faith must be put into action.
This idea is echoed earlier in Matthew’s gospel when Jesus declared “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
So, what might this gospel be asking of you today? Is there an area of your life where you know what God is asking you to change, but you keep putting it off? Maybe it’s a relationship that needs attention; someone you need to forgive; an apology you need to make; a habit you need to change; someone who needs your help?
The first son reminds us that it isn’t too late to change our answer. We may have said “no” yesterday. The Gospel simply asks: What will our answer be today?
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Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The Pope’s prayer intention for the month of September is For the care of water
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
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Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
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