26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
27th September 2026
Lectionary Readings: Ezek.18:25-28, Ps 25, Phil. 2:1-11, Mt. 21:28-32
Theme: Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Today’s liturgical readings are filled with rich imagery and meaning that compel us to face demanding challenges. Jesus often spoke to the people in parables, simple stories used to illustrate a moral lesson. From the Greek, parabole, these stories related everyday situations and Jesus would often make a comparison with the events or characters.
In this parable, Jesus speaks of two sons whose father asked both sons to work in the vineyard and they responded quite differently. The first said he will not go but later changed his mind and went whereas the second son said he would go; but did not. The first son’s negative response was then followed by a change of heart; whereas the second son first agreed but later did not obey. The Father’s invitation is universal; every person is called. The main objective of this story is to answer the question that Jesus posed – “Who did the will of his father?”
In scripture, the vineyard has both symbolic and practical significance. Its metaphors speak of spiritual truths and God’s loving care. Since the vineyard is associated with abundance and the covenantal relationship, the Promised Land is often described as a line of fertile vineyards and orchards. Wine, a staple in the Israelite’s diet was also essential in their religious practices. In the festivals of Tabernacles and Sukkot, the first fruits played a central role. Even in the ethical and legal sense the vineyard is subject to laws: “You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident.” (Lev.19:9-10)
In the first reading, Ezekiel’s message is one of personal responsibility and examination of one’s life and an accounting of one’s actions. This sounds very similar to the message of John the Baptist and of Jesus, too. How can we apply its message in our daily lives?
Living our faith and working in the vineyard are the very foundation of who we are as Christians. Jesus began his earthly ministry by proclaiming, “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mk. 1:14-15). To repent or to experience a conversion is in its most basic usage, a way “to return” or “to go back.” It can signal the sense of changing one’s mind, making an about-face, like the first son in today’s parable. To make a change in one’s life is difficult because change is never easy. Many who listened to John the Baptist repented of their actions and believed John’s message. We need to align our actions with God’s Word – to be more than hearers of the word but doers as well!! It is St. James who reminds us, “Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action is dead.” (Jas. 2:17)
At our Baptism, we received the powerful words filled with a sense of calling and meaning for our lives: “By the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, bathe this child in light, give him (her) the new life of baptism and welcome him (her) into your holy Church.” (The Catholic Rite of Baptism)
For Reflection and Discussion:
- How do I respond when God calls me to work in his vineyard?
2. Am I more focused on saying the right words or actually doing the will of the Father in daily life?
Bibliography: W. R. Famer, The International Biblical Commentary, Rekha Printers, Ltd. Theological Publications, Bangalore, India, 2004. A. Levine and M. Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, Oxford University Press, New York, New York, 2011.
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Rita Kammernmayer, Bat Kol Alumna 2001
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