St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the twenty sixth ordinary Sunday of year A. The first reading teaches about individual responsibility. It tells us that the one who turns to wickedness shall die and the one who turns away from wickedness will live. The Prophet develops the argument that repentance is always possible, regardless of one’s past life. An individual’s fate will be assessed by whether he or she has turned to or from wickedness. Repentance leads to life.

In the second reading to the Philippians, St. Paul offers the superior example of Christ. Perhaps fearing that the weeds of selfishness, ambition and self-centeredness were compromising their unity. He begins to exhort them to be of the same mind and manner of thinking, and the same love and unity of heart. All should be done in imitation of Christ. To what extent do we imitate our Lord and God, Jesus Christ?

The gospel passage is part of a lengthy controversy between Jesus and the religious authorities. The parable of the two sons, draws on the popularity of John’s ministry. Compared to the son who said yes to the father but failed to follow through, the actions of the chief priests and elders reveal them to be less open to the message and ministry of John and Jesus. Others, called sinners, are identified with the son who said no but eventually did His father’s will. Hence, our future is determined not by the past but by the present. Repentance and change of heart to good, leads us to life with the Divine.

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony