Reflection for September 27 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 21:28-32

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had 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 his 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."

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Reflection:

What would we do when we hear the voice of God calling us to walk away from sin? Do we simply hear His voice, or do we hear it and then act on it, allowing our lives to be renewed and transformed in His presence?

Many of us might be dismissive of God’s call to repentance. We might hear His voice but choose to brush it aside, thinking that conversion can wait or that our sins are insignificant. Sometimes, we become so accustomed to our ways that we no longer recognize how far they can lead us away from God.

But God did not create us for this world alone. Our earthly life is not the end of our journey. There is something far greater that awaits us beyond this life: eternal life with God in heaven or eternal separation from Him in hell. This reality reminds us that the decisions we make today have eternal significance.

In our Gospel, Jesus speaks of a son who was asked by his father to work in his vineyard (Matthew 21:28). The son initially said that he would not go. But after reflecting on his father’s request, he had a change of heart and went to the vineyard to work there (Matthew 21:29).

What a beautiful reminder this is for all of us. The son’s first response was no, but his final response was yes. His story tells us that our first response to God does not have to be our final response. We may have turned away from Him many times, but by His grace, we can still turn back.

God continually invites us to conversion. We are all sinners, and none of us is perfect. Yet God does not abandon us because of our weaknesses and failures. He patiently calls us to metanoia, a change of heart—a turning away from our sinful ways and a turning back toward Him.

Let us therefore not lose hope because of the many times we have said no to God. Perhaps we have ignored His voice, postponed our conversion, or returned again and again to the same sins. But God's mercy continues to reach out to us. What matters is not only what we have done in the past but what we choose to do with His grace here and now.

Every day is another opportunity to say yes to God.

Are we not yet tired of committing the same sins? Are we not tired of living noisy and restless lives, lives without peace and serenity? If we honestly examine our hearts, we may realize that sin has never given us the lasting peace we long for. Instead, it often leaves us with emptiness, guilt, broken relationships, and more problems.

God calls us to something better. He calls us away from sin, not because He wants to take happiness away from us, but because He wants to lead us toward the fullness of life that can only be found in Him.

Perhaps today, God is speaking quietly to our hearts. Perhaps He is asking us to leave behind a particular sin, resentment, unhealthy attachment, pride, or way of living that has been keeping us from Him. His invitation may be uncomfortable, but it is an invitation born of love.

Let us not merely hear God's voice. Let us listen with humble hearts. Let us allow His grace to change us. And after hearing His call, let us have the courage to act.

Our past no does not have to be our final answer.

What is God asking us to leave behind today, and are we willing to say “yes” to Him—not only with our lips, but with our hearts, our choices, and the way we live our lives?— Marino J. Dasmarinas