Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"A man had two sons." (Mt 21:28) This is not the first time Jesus uses the example of a father in relationship with two sons when telling parables - and I don't believe it is a coincidence. Jesus starts his parable with this family which reminds us where we come from as well. We are truly sons and daughters in relationship with the Father through the gift of our Baptism - just like the relationship between the man and two sons.
In today's readings, conversion is highlighted in distinct ways. In the gospel, the fact that the first son "changed his mind and went" (Mt 21:29) was more aligned with the father's will than the son who was not true to his word. Similarly, in the first reading we see how the one who "[turns] away from all the sins that he has committed" (Ez 18:28-28) does not die, but lives!
Conversion can be perfectly described as a literal "turning away" (Ez 18:28) from sin. The moments when we experience God's grace and change our way of living. It requires humility on one's part to recognize that aspects of our life are consumed with superficial desires and longings. What areas of your life do you desire conversion? A complete turning away from darkness to light.
The humility of leaving an old self behind or rejecting habits that lead to sin can be a daunting task, but today's psalm gives us the answer, "Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way" (Ps 25:8-9).
It is a comforting thought that we have a God to show us the way, a Father to turn to when we change our minds after being gone.
As children of the Father, I invite you to pray with two points this week:
1) Ask Jesus for the grace of deeper conversion. That our hearts may be converted through the renewal of our minds, and that He may highlight an area of deeper detachment from sin.
2) Ask Jesus to give us the grace of humility and strength in the midst of our journey of coming back to Him and seeking His will.
Anthony Quinn
