October 1, 2017: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man has 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 the 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.” (Matthew 21:28-32)

Reflection

We are all the two brothers. We face choices everyday — all day.
We waiver back and forth. We can either give or not; we can either pass along the gossip or not; we can laugh at the rude joke or not; we can either love or not.
Jesus points out that being called virtuous believers is not enough. We will be judged on our actions.

Action

This week strive to become aware of your choices at the time — even as you waiver.
Bite your tongue, if needed, and wait for the impulse to speak or act to pass.
Remember, this moment of action is your choice — and in the words of Matthew in a later verse, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” You will be judged for your action.