Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

The readings this Sunday invite us to reflect on a question that is simple but very important: Does our “yes” to God really appear in the way we live? It is possible to say the right words, make beautiful promises, and even appear religious, yet fail to do what God asks of us. Conversely, someone may have made mistakes in the past, but later repent and sincerely turn back to God. For the Lord, what ultimately matters is not only what we say, but also the conversion of our hearts and the obedience of our lives.

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God reminds us that each person is responsible for the direction of his or her life. The one who turns away from sin and begins to do what is right shall live. This is a message of hope. Our past does not have to determine our future. God is always ready to receive the sinner who sincerely repents. At the same time, the passage challenges us not to presume on our past goodness. What matters is remaining faithful to God today.

This truth becomes very concrete in the Gospel. Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. The first initially says “No”, but later changes his mind and goes to work. The second says “Certainly, sir”, but does not go. Jesus then asks, “Which of the two did his father’s will?” The answer is obvious: the one who actually went.

The parable challenges us to examine our own lives. How often do we say “Yes” to God in church, in prayer, or with our lips, but say “No” through our behaviour? We may say yes to forgiveness, yet continue to hold grudges; yes to honesty, yet tolerate dishonesty when it benefits us; yes to peace, yet contribute to division through gossip, anger or suspicion; yes to charity, yet remain indifferent to the needs of the poor and the vulnerable.

The second reading gives us the model we need. Saint Paul presents Christ, who “though he was divine, did not cling to his equality with God”, but humbled himself and became obedient, even unto death. Jesus’ yes to the Father was not merely spoken; it was lived. His obedience took the concrete form of humility, service, sacrifice and love.

Therefore, the Christian life is not about making perfect promises; it is about allowing God to transform our promises into faithful actions. A sincere “Yes” may sometimes begin after a “No”, because conversion is possible. What God asks of us is the humility to change when we realise that we have gone astray.

As we begin a new week, let us ask ourselves: What is God asking me to do that I have been postponing? Where does my life contradict my profession of faith? To whom do I need to apologise? Whom do I need to forgive? With whom do I need to reconcile? To whom do I need to offer practical help? May our “Yes” to God become visible in our families, workplaces, parish communities and society.

Lord, give us the humility to change, the courage to obey and the generosity to serve, so that our lives may truly say “Yes” to you.