01/10/2023
WORD Today
Oct 1, 2023
Ezekiel 18:25-28
Philippians 2:1-11
Matthew 21:28-32
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St Therese of the Child Jesus
Today's Gospel presents two types of children. The first type are tax collectors, prostitutes, drug addicts, & other rebellious sinners who say NO to the Father's Commandments. But by the grace of God, later in life they repent their rebellion & try their best to make up.
The second type of children are those who heartily praise & worship the Lord at church, who loudly declare YES to Jesus' Commandment "Love one another." But in their heart they condemn sinners to death, & others vote for abortionists.
In the 1st Reading, God our Father warns us that it's the first type of children that enters heaven. But He further warns us that entry to heaven is not an assured thing. It depends on what state our soul is in at the end of life. Indeed, throughout our lives we can be like children on a playground, swinging back and forth betwee Yes & No.
The 2nd Reading presents a third type of child for us to imitate. This child said Yes to his father & never wavered, never changed his mind, "obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." It is the Son Jesus Christ, sent by our Father to die for all of us swingers.
Today is His Day. Let us say Yes to the Father's 3rd Commandment, "Keep holy the Lord's Day," & go to Holy Mass. It is the celebration of the Son's perfect YES, from conception to crucifixion, to resurrection & triumphant return to the Father.
Lord Jesus, open my eyes & my heart. Help me see my inconsistencies. May Your Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity in the Eucharist transform me to become ever more like You, a living Amen by word & by deed.
