26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 1st October 2023
Lectionary Readings:
Ezekiel 18 v1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25 v1-9; Philippians 2 v1-13; Matthew 21 v23-32.
Seeing is Believing. (for some, but not all, it seems.)
Jesus is challenging the religious leaders about their understanding of God’s love and purposes.
Jesus says that they did not believe the message of John the Baptist, even after seeing the transformation of ‘evil’ people after they had repented of their sins and been baptised into a new relationship with God.
The religious leaders did not see that they themselves were in need of such transformation.
These former ‘evil’ people, (tax collectors and prostitutes,) now forgiven by God (but not by the religious leaders), are Jesus says, sure to get into the kingdom of God before they ever will!
(see Matthew 21 v31).
In the passage from Ezekiel, God states that “all people belong to me” (Ezekiel 18 v4). Something that the religious leaders of Matthew’s day had long forgotten.
Later in the same passage God asks the people of Israel “Do you want to be put to death for your sins?” “I, the Lord God, don’t want to see that happen to anyone. So stop sinning and live!”
(Ezekiel 18 v32).
The message of both Ezekiel and John the Baptist is a simple one: repent of your sins and live, with the assurance of God’s mercy, forgiveness and love.
Paul, writing to the Philippians, makes the point that if you do the will of God by obeying God’s commands (and not sinning), God will bless you with his Spirit, which will live within you.
(see Philippians 2 v13).
Other people will then be able to see that you are reflecting God’s love towards others.
In seeing this transformation of your character, others will believe the good news about Jesus and then everyone can openly agree (that) ‘Jesus is Lord!’ (see Philippians 2 v11).
Hymn writer Michael Saward has this to say about the gift and work of the Holy Spirit.
(Singing the Faith 400 v1-2).
Wind of God, dynamic Spirit, breathe upon our hearts today;
that we may your power inherit, hear us, Spirit, as we pray:
fill the vacuum that enslaves us – emptiness of heart and soul;
and, through Jesus Christ who saves us, give us life and make us whole.
Voice of God, prophetic Spirit, speak to every heart today
to encourage or prohibit, urging action or delay:
clear the vagueness which impedes us – come, enlighten mind and soul:
and, through Jesus Christ who leads us, teach the truth that makes us whole.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.