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Our Sunday Reflection - October 1, 2023
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"Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you."
Matthew 21:31
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
God has blessed us all with the gift of life. While we were still in the womb, God knew us and formed us. During our entire life on earth, God is with us, showering us with love and mercy. We come together today to praise God for such wonderful love and mercy, but also for the gift of life in the first place. On this first day of Respect Life Month, may we be reminded of the value of all human life and God’s call to cherish life at every stage.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
It is never too late to change, for the worse or for the better. Ezekiel contrasts the virtuous person who turns away from God and chooses to sin with the wicked person who turns away from sin to do what is right. Jesus asks the chief priests and elders to consider two sons, one who says no, but ends up obeying, and the other who promises to obey, but doesn’t follow through. Between these two readings, we hear Saint Paul—who changed his life dramatically after his encounter with Christ—exhort the Philippians to unify in Christ in thought and action. May we do the same.Reflections
- It certainly does seem unfair that a virtuous person can be undone by a single instance of sin, but Ezekiel insists that the LORD does not see it as we do. It is wise to use this example as a reminder to not be complacent, to think that it’s not a big deal to act sinfully from time to time because we have a history of doing the right thing. Note that Ezekiel uses the word turn repeatedly to describe the change in behavior of both people. It is our fundamental orientation toward God, toward discipleship, toward virtue, that determines our future. Always keep in mind that we can turn in either direction at any time.
- Saint Paul has excellent advice for Christians who wish to stay oriented toward God: “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Let us consider Jesus’ attitude toward others. During his ministry, he reached out to sinners—like the tax collectors and prostitutes he mentions in today’s Gospel—with love and mercy. He reached out as well toward others who were marginalized by society, whether it was because of their background, their gender, a disability, or their poverty. He invited everyone to repent and hear the good news that he was sent to bring. May we aspire to mirror that same attitude in how we treat others.
- Paul also tells the Philippians to reject selfishness, advising them to “regard others as more important than yourselves,” and so put others’ interests before their own (2:3). This is the natural result of living with empathy. When we empathize with others, we care about them. We do what we can to bring them joy and comfort and love. When we focus our attention on others, we shift that focus away from ourselves. This reorients us away from selfish thinking.
Question of the Week
How would my behavior change if I reorient myself toward others and away from myself? What could I do this week that I hadn’t planned to do and for whom?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, October 1, 2023
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, October 1, 2023
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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