Walking with Jesus: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, October 1, 2023

Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 21:28-32

“Walk the Walk ... Talk the Talk.” Do you know how old this is? Where it's from? Actually it’s an idiom, but it's also a 2011 album from the blues rock band The Head Cat following their first album, Fool's Paradise. Their stage act was theatrical, including pirate costumes, echoing rock ’n’ roll contemporaries Screaming Lord Surtch & the Savages, Nero and the Gladiators and others.

Talk the talk ... walk the walk. If you say that someone talks the talk but does not walk the walk, you mean that they do not act in a way that agrees with the things they say. So where are we?

To put this in perspective: We are all on a continuous conversion journey. Our life as a disciple of Jesus is one ultimately in which consistency is key. What we say must be matched in the deeds of our daily living. Remember the rules — certainly much more than suggestions — that our parents left for us teenagers when they went away for the weekend. They went away to get away … and we willingly stayed home to be FREE ... and we’ll stop there. The rules were straightforward: no parties … be nice to your siblings … make sure the house stays clean … all the friends you have over must be pre-approved … do not eat anything from the bottom shelf in the pantry … and again, no parties. But they worried … what are the kids doing now…did they break anything ... and so on.

The two sons in today’s Gospel have an unenthusiastic relationship with their father. From a parent's viewpoint, neither of them does their father’s will. One is just saying what the father wants to hear … we’ve been there … and the other is defiant (not a good response in my parents’ home.) I would imagine most fathers wouldn’t leave these two unsupervised. Is there a meaning for us?

In chapter 20 of his book, Ezekiel is leading us into an in-depth overview of Israel’s past history of disloyalty to God. Before Ezekiel presents this sad history he emphasizes that “this did not have to happen.” The people have had the choice to be obedient, to be faithful. They have had to learn how to walk with God … in His way, even if they have stumbled in the past. In earlier chapters Ezekiel has rejected an old proverb that descendants will continue to suffer punishment from God for their ancestors’ sins. They must have thought that God shared their prejudices in categorizing people. No, the prophet insists, God judges people NOT by who they are but by WHAT they do. The passage concludes on a hopeful note: Those who turn from sin and do what is right “… shall surely live, they shall not die.” [Ezekiel 18:28]

Paul urges the Philippians to look at Jesus and live as He did “by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing … humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” [Philippians 2:3-4] Paul is using himself as the example of one who knows how to give up privilege and status for the good of others. He gives us some of the best biological information about himself and reflects on the consequences of his encounters with Christ. He’s telling the Philippians and us not to backslide into earthly things. He says his former system of valuing is “rubbish” compared with his new way of seeing all things in Christ. A good reflection for ourselves, followed by the question, what can I do to remain with the Lord?

This gospel of the two sons is only found in Matthew … one obeying eventually, the other saying yes I will, but then not. Now there are different levels of meaning. Some are like the first son; here Jesus contrasts the Jewish leaders who affirm God’s way but don’t do it, to sinners who reject God’s law but eventually repent and obey God.  Matthew’s ministry is to his fellow Jews and he relates this parable to the Jews, who think of themselves as God’s faithful people but do not accept the new way of Jesus. The gentiles, on the other hand, were unbelievers but have come to accept the kingdom of God in Christ.

Then we look at those who are like the first son. We look at many Christians who feel they live their lives as real Christians. They went to Catholic school … they were an altar boy or girl … they followed the rules … they went to Church on Saturday or Sunday … but they don’t feel any need for God in their daily lives. Their faith is primarily intellectual. They don’t feel a need to be committed or to care for the needy and poor. Others are like the second son: They were a part of the faith but moved away and now are inclined to reexamine their lifestyle and commitment. They realize that faith in God is essential in their own lives and in raising their children. Their attitude is, “Have the same attitude that is … in Christ Jesus.” The Bottom Line: No matter what we've done in the past, now we can strive to be like the second son and respond to God — “Behold, I come to do Your will, O God.” [Hebrews10:7]

So I reflect on:

• I reflect on the times I have not lived up to my words … my beliefs. How did I feel?
• I contrast this to times when I didn’t want to do a hard thing — even saying I wouldn’t do it — but did it anyway. How did I feel then? What did I learn?

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“There are different responses to the Lord in my own life. I pray to be more aware of my need for the Lord and to let that need open me to the gift. My emptiness can become space for the Lord. Does my frailty turn me to the Lord or to myself? I desire freedom and pray to see the Lord more clearly for who He is so that I may love Him more dearly.”