September 27, 2026
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 21:28–32

Today is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Gospel of Matthew tells us a parable that Jesus spoke. In this parable, Jesus describes the different responses of two sons to their father’s request. Let us try to understand it.

Jesus said, “A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ The son replied, ‘I will not.’ But afterwards, he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second son and gave the same order. He replied, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.” (Cf. Matthew 21:28–30)

As I write this reflection, I think of the many insincere situations in our lives: we often, not wanting to disappoint others, agree to their requests, but afterwards fail to keep our promises. This is exactly what the second son did—saying “yes” with his mouth but not moving his feet.

What impressed me even more was a scene I witnessed in parish ministry: Once, a pastor asked a server to prepare the liturgical items and the Missal for the patronal feast. At first, because he was busy and in a bad mood, the server directly said to the pastor, “I don’t have time, ask someone else.” He refused to his face. But later, he reflected in prayer and realized that this was an opportunity to serve the Church. So he prepared the Missal a week in advance, and on the day before the feast, he took the initiative to coordinate with the pastor, properly arranging the seating for the servers and the concelebrating priests on the altar that day. This is exactly what the first son in today’s Gospel did—he said “no” to his face but later changed his mind and made up for it with action.

So, what exactly does Jesus want to tell us by telling this parable? Jesus is not simply asking us to be “consistent in word and deed.” He immediately applies this parable to the religious leaders and ordinary sinners of His time. Those religious leaders, who said “yes” to God in the temple every day, full of piety, yet rejected the baptism of John and did not believe in Jesus—they are the second son. And those despised tax collectors and prostitutes, who initially said “no” to God and lived lives violating the law, yet when John came, they repented and believed—they are the first son. Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31)

This is where the Gospel is most disturbing, yet also most comforting: God does not look at how many times we have said “yes” with our mouths, but whether our hearts are honest and willing to change our minds.
Perhaps each of us has been like the second son—saying “yes” to God in church but doing nothing once we step outside; saying forgiveness with our mouths but holding grudges in our hearts. But the Gospel tells us that even if we have been like the first son, saying “no” to God’s invitation, as long as we change our minds in the silence, the Heavenly Father still welcomes us into His vineyard with open arms.

The vineyard is not a place for perfect people, but for those willing to change their minds. The question has never been how many times we have said “no,” but whether, at this moment, we are willing to get up and go.

O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica