Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today is the birthday of my twin brothers, Paul and Mike. When I used to live with my parents, I always heard them complaining to either mom or dad about how, “It’s not fair! Paul (or Mike) gets to do this, or that!”
In our first reading today from the Prophet Ezekiel, the Lord says, “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? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”
It is kind of like our Gospel reading today: one of the sons doesn’t want to do what his father asks, but deep down he loves his father and doesn’t want to be a disappointment to him, so he does what his father asks. The other son says, “Sure, I will do it!” but doesn’t. God the Father knows, but it does make me wonder if the former son would get credit, or, with humility, the latter son does not get the credit and says nothing.
Today is also the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, and he says this on humility: “Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.” Life is hard, but the truth will set us free. One who does the will of the Father and does what is right—no matter how rough it might be—and sticks with whatever the Father gives them will receive an imperishable crown of glory!
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections