Weekly Message from Fr. Rick:
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 27, 2020
A few weeks ago I preached on the Gospel account of Jesus’ absolute insistence on the need we have to forgive those who have wronged us. This weekend we have another example of Jesus giving us Commandments that could not be clearer: Faith if it is real, genuine, is expressed in action or, can we really call it faith? Hence the two sons: The father gives each an order: “Go out and work in the vineyard today.”
The first son says, “No” but afterwards changes his mind and goes.
The second son says, at once, yes; but he never does. Despite his initial refusal it is the first son who actually does the father’s will for “... afterwards changed his mind and went.”
He “changed his mind.”
That is what conversion is at root a change of heart a change of mind. How wonderful a sign of God’s mercy that He affords us every day opportunities to likewise “change our minds” and do as the Lord commanded.
Likewise too it may be that another brother or sister in faith is struggling; our own turning back to God might well be the example and encouragement they need to turn back to the Lord and be saved!
Ponder this: An Angel can not change its mind. Angelic intelligence so much greater than is human intelligence. An Angel, unlike a human being understands immediately all the implications involved in the choices they make thus Angels never have to reconsider their choices.
Sounds nice, until you realize that the demand for example are forever locked in their choice to turn from God. We are indeed blessed to be able to turn back to God whenever we stray.
Fr. Rick