Podcast: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Hi and welcome to the Modern Psalmist Podcast for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. I’m Rebecca De La Torre.

The continuous theme of God’s unending mercy is still prevalent in the readings for today.

Beginning with our Entrance Antiphon from Daniel chapter 3, we enter into worship with a penitent heart as we acknowledge our faults and plead for God’s bountiful mercy:

“All that you have done to us, O Lord,
you have done with true judgment,
for we have sinned against you
and not obeyed your commandments.
But give glory to your name
and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy.”

Our Psalm for today, attributed to King David, reminds us of God’s many great works of mercy to humanity. Taken from Psalm chapter 25 verse 6, the response is

“Remember your mercies, O Lord.”

Now, we don’t need to remind God that He is merciful. We say this for ourselves – *we* need to remember that God is merciful. And the verses therein are a plea to God for instruction, guidance, and of course, His abundant mercy.

Our Communion Antiphon for today reminds us of the hope and comfort God’s word brings. In times of hardship, remembering God’s promises becomes a source of strength, a testament to a mercy that sustains and uplifts us.

Taken from the longest chapter in the books of Psalms, chapter 119, in verses 49 & 50 we read:

“Remember your word to your servant, O Lord,
by which you have given me hope.
This is my comfort when I am brought low.”

In the Gospel for today, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons, where a father asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first son refuses to go, but then later changes his mind and goes to work. However, the second son says he’ll go but doesn’t follow through.

Most of us at one point or another in our lives and relate to both of these sons. For myself, I can say even in a single week I’m sometimes all gung ho with no follow through, and then at other times I’m resistant to follow the Spirit, but eventually change my mind.

The son who initially refuses but then changes his mind to work in the vineyard demonstrates repentance and obedience – and that son is the one who ultimately did his father’s will.

Jesus contrasts this with chief priests and elders of the people who claim righteousness but do not repent or believe in the “way of righteousness”. (“camino de la justicia”)

In Matthew chapter 21 verses 31 & 32:

“Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
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.””

We need to be careful that we don’t become hardened like these chief priests and elders whom Jesus addressed with this parable. We followers of Christ have to continually say yes AND follow though with our promises to God. We have to remain humble – and never proud.

In the Second reading from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5 & 6, we read:

“Have in you the same attitude
that is also in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.”

And in verse 8 St Paul continues, saying:

“he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.”

That’s some serious humility! Demonstrated to us by Jesus himself.

The chief priests and elders who had no divine claim whatsoever were far too proud to admit their faults.

But when *we* fall, God’s mercy is abundant and we need to turn back to Him. The tax collectors and prostitutes repented and were received into God’s kingdom with love and mercy, as Jesus teaches us here.

A beautiful song of mercy that I selected for all my masses this weekend is John Foley’s “The Cry of the Poor”. I composed Spanish lyrics for this song as well, titled “Que Tu Misericordia”

The message in this song fits perfectly with the psalm today, and illustrates the merciful way in which God receives all of us who call out to him in repentance with a contrite heart.

Thanks for joining me on The Modern Psalmist podcast for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A. Links to songs shared on this podcast can be found in the show notes.

Have a wonderful week and may God bless you abundantly.