26th sunday a - i

8/3/2019 26th Sunday A - I

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Welcome to our Bible Study

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time ASeptember 26, 2011

In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

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1st Reading: Ezekiel 18,25-28

25 You say, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Hearnow, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair,or rather, are not your ways unfair? 26 When avirtuous man turns away from virtue to commit

iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity hecommitted that he must die. 27 But if a wickedman, turning from the wickedness he hascommitted, does what is right and just, he shallpreserve his life; 28 since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall

surely live, he shall not die. The focus in on God’s way.

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The Lord’s way 25 You say, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Hear now, house of

Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?

Man’s way

26 When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity,and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he mustdie.

Man’s conversion

27 But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he hascommitted, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life;

Life

28 since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed,he shall surely live, he shall not die.

A simple outline!

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The Lord’s way 25 You say, "The LORD'S way is not

fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is itmy way that is unfair, or rather, are notyour ways unfair?

Man’s way 26 When a virtuous man turns away from

virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it isbecause of the iniquity he committedthat he must die.

Man’s conversion 27 But if a wicked man, turning from

the wickedness he has committed,does what is right and just, he shallpreserve his life;

Life28 since he has turned away from all the

sins which he committed, he shallsurely live, he shall not die.

Commentary In v.25, God is accused of

being unfair in his way.

Answer: It is man’s way thatis unfair. Put in directmanner, it is your way that is

unfair. Vv.26-28 talks about “turning

away” and its consequences

From virtue to iniquity =death

From wickedness to right

and just = life From all sins = life, not

death

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Reflections on the 1st reading

Our destiny depends on our “turning away.”

If we turn away from evil (metanoia ), we havelife. (God’s way)

If we turn away from good (sin), we die.(man’s way)

We must adopt God’s way.

Do you know God’s way?

Seek the sacred scriptures and the teachingsof the Church!

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Resp. Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14.

R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord.

4 Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,5 guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior.

8 Remember that your compassion, O LORD,and your love are from of old.9 The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;in your kindness remember me,because of your goodness, O LORD.

10 Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.14 He guides the humble to justice,and teaches the humble his way.

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Resp. Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14. R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O

Lord.

4 Your ways, O LORD, make knownto me;teach me your paths,5 guide me in your truth and teachme,

for you are God my savior.

8 Remember that your compassion,O LORD,and your love are from of old.9 The sins of my youth and myfrailties remember not;

in your kindness remember me,because of your goodness, OLORD.

10 Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.14 He guides the humble to justice,

and teaches the humble his way.

Commentary

In vv.4-5, the psalmistprays for guidance(God’s ways, paths, andtruth)

In vv.8-9, the psalmistuses the word“remember” 3 times. Remember your

compassion and love

Remember not my sins Remember me in your

kindnes

Vv.10 and 14 affirm Godas a good guide.

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Reflections on the Psalm

Like the Psalmist, we must pray for God’s

guidance.

God guides us to walk in his way.

Like the Psalmist, we should pray for God’scompassion, to forgive our infractions.

In our lives, we pray for two things: guidance

and forgiveness.

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2nd Reading: Philippians 2,1-11Part I

1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, anyparticipation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my

joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart,thinking one thing. 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for

those of others. 5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that isalso yours in Christ Jesus,

Part II

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality withGod something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, takingthe form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in

appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death,even death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted himand bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that atthe name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven andon earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess thatJesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A simple outline!

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2nd Reading: Philippians 2,1-11Part I 1 If there is any

encouragement in Christ,any solace in love, anyparticipation in the Spirit, anycompassion and mercy, 2complete my joy by being of

the same mind, with thesame love, united in heart,thinking one thing. 3 Donothing out of selfishness orout of vainglory; rather,humbly regard others asmore important than

yourselves, 4 each lookingout not for his own interests,but (also) everyone for thoseof others. 5 Have amongyourselves the same attitudethat is also yours in Christ

Jesus,

In v.2, Paul expresses his challengeto the Philippians, to complete his

joy, in this manner: By having same mind (one vision,

common vision) By having same love (the love of

Christ)

By being united in heart (living infraternity, fraternal love, incommunity)

By thinking one thing (focused)

In v.3, Paul gives two imperatives: 1) To be pure in motivations

2) Not to put down others (do not putyourself in a pedestal)

Vv.4-5 continues Paul’s imperatives 3) not to be selfish 4) to look for the interest of others 5) to have the same attitude

(affection for one another) in Christ

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2nd Reading: Philippians 2,1-11Part Two 6 who, though he was in the

form of God, did not regardequality with God somethingto be grasped. 7 Rather, heemptied himself, taking theform of a slave, coming inhuman likeness; and found

human in appearance, 8 hehumbled himself, becomingobedient to death, evendeath on a cross.

9 Because of this, Godgreatly exalted him andbestowed on him the name

that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend, ofthose in heaven and on earthand under the earth, 11 andevery tongue confess thatJesus Christ is Lord, to the

glory of God the Father.

Part Two describes Christ’s divinity andhumanity, God’s way.

V.6 begins with Christ’s category as God,but not taking advantage of his divinenature.

V.7 indicates Christ’s coming down to

become human. V.8 indicates two sublime qualities of

Christ: humble and obedient. They makeincarnation possible.

In v.9, God reverses the fate of Jesus on

two counts: God exalted him

God bestowed on him the name…

In v.10 the great name of Jesus exactsreverence and holy fear and alsoacknowledgment of his Lordship. V.11

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We can classify Paul’s thoughts:

God’s way:

same mind, same love, unitedin heart, thinking one thing,regard others as moreimportant; found in Christ

God’s way in Christ: emptiedhimself, took form of slave,become human being(incarnation), humbled himself,obedient, to death on a cross.

God’s way to Christ: exaltedhim, bestowed name, whichmake everyone bend andtongue confess

Man’s way:

Selfish motives, vainglory,seeking own interests

Minds can’t meet.

Hearts are divided.

One tries to outdo the other.

Self-importance

Appropriation

Domination

Pride Autonomy

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Reflections on the second reading

Jesus is the model of total selflessness expressed in

humility and total obedience to God.

If we want to join him in heaven, we must empty

ourselves of pride, unbridled freedom, etc.

We must practice kenosis (emptying).

It is the peak of Christian discipleship.

Can you talk less about yourself, youraccomplishments, etc., and talk more about Christ?

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Gospel: Matthew 21,28-32

28 "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He cameto the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in thevineyard today.' 29 He said in reply, 'I will not,' butafterwards he changed his mind and went. 30 The mancame to the other son and gave the same order. He said

in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father's will?" They

answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors

and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before

you. 32 When John came to you in the way ofrighteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectorsand prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you didnot later change your minds and believe him.

The focus is on conversion.

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Question 1 28 "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first

and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' 29 He said inreply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said inreply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go.

Question 2 31 Which of the two did his father's will?"Correct answer They answered, "The first."The meaning of his question

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutesare entering the kingdom of God before you. 32 When John came toyou in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but taxcollectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did notlater change your minds and believe him.

A simple outline!

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Gospel: Matthew 21,28-32 28 "What is your opinion? A man had

two sons. He came to the first andsaid, 'Son, go out and work in thevineyard today.' 29 He said in reply, 'Iwill not,' but afterwards he changedhis mind and went. 30 The mancame to the other son and gave thesame order. He said in reply, 'Yes,sir,' but did not go.

31 Which of the two did his father'swill?" They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say toyou, tax collectors and prostitutes areentering the kingdom of God beforeyou. 32 When John came to you inthe way of righteousness, you did notbelieve him; but tax collectors andprostitutes did. Yet even when yousaw that, you did not later changeyour minds and believe him.

Commentary The Parable of the Two Sons

begins with a question. V.28

Jesus tries to get his disciples’attention and to judge forthemselves regarding the issue.

Vv.28a-30 can be summarized inthis way:

1st Son (From No to yes = did God’swill) The first son represents the sinners,

tax collectors and prostitutes.

2nd son (From Yes to No = did notdo God’s will) The second son represents the

chief priests and the elders of Israel(v.23.)

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28 "What is your opinion? A manhad two sons. He came to the firstand said, 'Son, go out and work inthe vineyard today.' 29 He said inreply, 'I will not,' but afterwards hechanged his mind and went. 30 Theman came to the other son and gavethe same order. He said in reply,

'Yes, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father's

will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to

you, tax collectors and prostitutesare entering the kingdom of Godbefore you. 32 When John came toyou in the way of righteousness, youdid not believe him; but taxcollectors and prostitutes did. Yeteven when you saw that, you did notlater change your minds and believehim.

V.31 affirms who does the will ofGod: the first son.

In v.31b, Jesus informs hisenemies that those they considersinners are entering the kingdomof heaven ahead of them.

V.32 gives the explanation. They lost their opportunity to be

saved, when they did not believein the baptism of John.

They were not even moved bythe conversion of sinners. V.32b.

In other words, they are callous. They did not interpret correctly.

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Reflections on the gospel reading

In the eyes of God, we are all sinners.

We must go back to him.

Even if we have been active in the church for so long, we

still need conversion. We cannot sit back and imagine we have been doing the

right things all the time.

We must learn how to discern the best way to follow

Christ in our context here and now. Our practices and theology might be correct but could be

irrelevant (does not bring to conversion and fullness oflife).

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Tying the three readings and the Psalm

The first reading talks about adopting God’s ways,

abandoning man’s ways. (conversion)

The psalm is a prayer for guidance and forgiveness.

The second reading talks about being selfless. (beingconverted)

The gospel reading talks about conversion (change ofmind)

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The second reading gives us tips for conversion.

It is a total obedience to God.

We must follow God’s ways.

We must have good personal relationships, notputting ourselves on top of others.

We must empty ourselves of all kinds of garbage(bloated ego).

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Instead, we should imitate Jesus whovoluntarily and humbly emptied himself of allhis privileges, prestige, power and wealth as

God. If we want to be put in a pedestal, we should

first undergo the way of the cross and die.

God himself will do it for us. That is more

honorable and respectable.

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Our involvement in the church can be a tricky business.

We may volunteer as servant leaders, but deep insidewe long to be recognized. We bring our personalagenda.

Unconsciously, we may be using the liturgy, our position,our influence and the facilities of the church for our ownends.

That’s why, there is always a need to examine our motivations.

We are helped much by attending ongoing formations.

Ongoing formations trigger realizations and conversions.

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The eucharist is the sacrament of love anddevotion to others.

It is a symbol of selflessness on the part of God,

also a symbol of self-giving of Jesus. The eucharist is for those who adopt God’s way

and abandon man’s way.

The eucharist assures us of the future glory tocome.

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Our Context of Sin and Grace

Church workers/leaderswho appropriate places ofhonor in the church

People who throw their

weight upon others.

Servant leaders who aremore conscious of theirpositions and years of

service Ministers who spend

more time chatting thanhelping

Selfless, humble servantswho are there whenneeded

Ministers who are

fraternal andaccommodating

Ministers who quietlyendure insults and pains.

Ministers who arefocused in their work,who do their homeworkwell, who report for duty.

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