2026 Cycle A - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings
26th Sunday in Ordinary TimeEzekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25; Phillippians 2:1-11 or Phillippians 2:1-5; Matthew 21:28-32
Homily Theme
The Father is Just and Merciful: Humble Ways Mercy
Once again we have similar words to last Sunday's Liturgy. The opening prayer mentions God's mercy to those who follow His ways and seek His forgiveness. In the first reading, Ezekiel says that we say the Lord's way is not fair. Why? Because sinners, who repent of their sins before they die, even at the moment of death, will receive mercy and eternal life, whereas those who lived a previously good life and sinned later, without repentance, will not. Where is the justice in that we ask? Take note of the prophets answer.
In the psalm, the theme of God's ways and mercy are picked up again for us to ponder. We will ask God to teach us His ways and in the response we will ask Him to show us His mercy. How will we know His ways? In the past week we have just celebrated the feast of St. Padre Pio, the stigmatic. He has taught us how to discern God's way. It is when we pray and receive inspired thoughts. He tells us not all inspired thoughts come from the Lord, but some from the great impostor. How will we discern the difference? Inspired thoughts that come from the Father will always give peace, the impostor will leave us disturbed if we act upon them. Pray and pray often to know the Father's will, then and act upon it.
In the second reading, Paul tells us that the Father sent the Son to become a man like us to save us on the cross. In order to do that, although He was in the form of God, He had to empty Himself and be humbled. Jesus is our Savior with mercy only in this life, but will become our judge with justice in the next, for those who have not sought His mercy while still alive. God's way is the way of humility.
In the short Gospel passage this week, there are two sons, which one will we choose to be? The one who says yes and doesn't do it, or the one who says no and does it? Remember Jesus is Savior now, but later He can only administer justice. All the scriptures this week, speak of mercy and justice. Remember the Savior died for love of you and me, but let us remember also, The Father is Just, even if we think it is unfair, so let us seek His way and act upon it always.
A great number of baptized Catholics no longer go to Holy Mass on Sunday: if they Shoud die before going to confession to receive absolution, their Eternity will not be with God in Heaven but with the devil who will be happy to receive them. Warn the lapsed Catholics to Get them to think about their Ways.