Newsletter September 27th 2026 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Actions Speak Louder Than Intentions

Have you ever said “yes” to something with great enthusiasm, only to get distracted and never actually follow through? Or perhaps, asked to do a difficult chore, you initially grumbled and said “no,” but later had a change of heart and quietly got the job done?

· In this weekend’s Gospel (Matthew 21:28-32), Jesus shares the parable of the two sons asked to work in the vineyard. It’s a wonderfully human story that hits close to home. The first son refuses his father outright, but later repents and goes. The second son offers a polite, immediate “Yes, sir,” but never shows up. Jesus poses a simple question to the chief priests and elders: Which of the two did his father’s will?

The answer is obvious, but the implication is piercing. Jesus isn’t just talking about chores; He’s talking about the posture of our hearts and the authenticity of our faith.

· This theme echoes powerfully in our reading from Philippians, where St. Paul urges us to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus—one of radical humility, self-emptying, and obedience. Christ didn’t just talk about love; He embodied it all the way to the cross.

· Meanwhile, the prophet Ezekiel reminds us in the first reading that God is always offering us a clean slate. It is never too late to turn away from our past “no’s” and step into righteousness. God is far less interested in our pious promises or our initial reluctance than He is in our eventual surrender to His will.

As we gather around the altar this week, let us examine our own lives. Where are we offering God lip service – saying “yes” with our Sunday attendance, but holding back our “yes” in our daily families, workplaces, and communities?

May the Eucharist we share give us the grace not just to say the right things, but to actually do them, rolling up our sleeves to labour side-by-side with the Father in His vineyard.