Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 2023
Our passages point out that it is not saying one will start or even actually starting the Christian journey that is most critical, but finishing the journey well, even after having refused to start and then reversing one's mind. There are demonic forces trying to get us off track or turn us back. However, God has his agents assisting us, evening picking us up and getting us going again.
Title
Outline
A student wants the credit but has not completed the work
A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step
And so our Pauline text today
The journey of sanctification does not just begin with but ends with:
Brothers and Sisters, this is so relevant to us all the time
Readings
FIRST READING
Ezekiel 18:25–28
25 You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair? Are not your ways unfair? 26 When the just turn away from justice to do evil and die, on account of the evil they did they must die. 27 But if the wicked turn from the wickedness they did and do what is right and just, they save their lives; 28 since they turned away from all the sins they committed, they shall live; they shall not die.
RESPONSE
Psalm 25:6a
6 Remember your compassion and your mercy, O LORD,
for they are ages old.
PSALM
Psalm 25:4–9
4 Make known to me your ways, LORD;
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me by your fidelity and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your compassion and your mercy, O LORD,
for they are ages old.
7 Remember no more the sins of my youth;
remember me according to your mercy,
because of your goodness, LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD,
therefore he shows sinners the way,
9 He guides the humble in righteousness,
and teaches the humble his way.
SECOND READING
Option A
Philippians 2:1–11
1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.
5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
6 Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
7 Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
8 he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
John 10:27
27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
GOSPEL
Matthew 21:28–32
28 “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.’ 29 He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 31 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. 32 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.
Notes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023 | ORDINARY TIME
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
YEAR A | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Ezekiel 18:25–28
Response Psalm 25:6a
Psalm Psalm 25:4–9
Second Reading Philippians 2:1–11 or Philippians 2:1–5
Gospel Acclamation John 10:27
Gospel Matthew 21:28–32