| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ez 18:25-28 | Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 | Phil 2:1-11 or Phil 2:1-5 | Mt 21:28-32 |
| RCL: Ez 18:1-4, 25-32 | RCL: Phil 2:1-13 | RCL: Mt 21:23-32 |
Discipleship: hearing and doing what God asks
During Ordinary time the Lectionary presents stories and teachings from Jesus’ everyday ministry. This week’s readings focus on a disciple’s need to act on God’s will to enter the kingdom.
First reading (Ez 18:25-28)
The first reading is from Ezekiel, a prophet who spoke God’s word to the Jews exiled in Babylon. He was a Jerusalem priest deported by Nebuchadnezzar II to Babylon in 597 BC. His prophetic themes include ritual purity versus sin’s defiling effects, God’s abandonment of Jerusalem because the people have turned away, and awareness of divine power.
In today’s pericope, Ezekiel focuses on the extent of personal responsibility and on the effectiveness of metanoia. Speaking for God, Ezekiel points out the fallacy in the people’s complaint: “The LORD’s way is not fair.” Unlike humans, God is consistently both just and merciful. God judges a virtuous person who “turns away from virtue” with justice (“because of the iniquity he committed that he must die”). At the same time, God judges a wicked person who “turns from the wickedness and does what is right and just” with mercy (“he shall preserve his life”). Ezekiel and the other prophets stress that God gives each person the opportunity to turn back to God and receive God’s abundant mercy (“he shall surely live, he shall not die”).
The Lectionary editors chose this reading because today’s gospel echoes Ezekiel’s theme that each person must turn toward what is right and act on it.
Second reading (Phil 2:1-11)
The second reading is the second selection from a four-week, semi-continuous reading from Paul’s letter to the ekklesia in Philippi, written in the mid-50s. Philippians is a composite: two or three letters from Paul, written from prison in Ephesus and from Corinth after his release; a later editor merged Paul’s correspondence into the single letter we now have. Paul encourages the Philippians toward unity, humility, peace, and joy.
In today’s pericope, Paul presents his teaching in three movements. First, Paul reminds the Philippians of the qualities of a believer’s life “in Christ” (“encouragement in Christ,” “solace in [God’s and the community’s] love,” “participation in the Spirit”) and asks them (“complete my joy”) to live out these qualities in fellowship and unity (“same mind,” “same love,” “united in heart,” “thinking one thing”), focused on others, rather than the self. Next, Paul urges the believing community to act as Christ acted (“the same attitude”). Finally, using a hymn (Phil 2:5-11) familiar to the Philippians, Paul retells Christ’s redemptive work. Although preexistent as God, Christ empties himself of divine power to be incarnated as a human. Fully human, he completes God’s saving plan, redeeming everyone by his self-emptying death. Because of Christ’s act of humble service to all, God exalts Christ as Lord, raising Christ to his preexisting, exalted place. Paul’s goal in this teaching is to have the Philippians imitate Christ’s humility in serving each other, which will strengthen their unity and fellowship.
The Lectionary editors chose this reading to continue Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from Philippians.
Gospel (Mt 21:28-32)
This section of Matthew’s gospel is from Jesus’ teachings in Jerusalem as his opponents question and challenge him. In today’s pericope, Jesus invites his opponents’ opinion about the children’s responses to their father’s request.
- Gospel context. Just before this parable, in an effort to trap Jesus, the chief priests and elders (the Jewish leaders) question Jesus’ authority to interpret Torah and teach. In a show of wit, Jesus shuts down their challenge. Now Jesus asks the leaders for their opinion about two children’s behavior toward their father.
- Social context. In cultures that value actions over words (most western cultures), the answer seems clear: the child who acted. In honor-based cultures (Jesus’ own culture), people value honor over action. The child who says “yes” publicly but doesn’t act honors the father by showing respect. The child who says “no” publicly shames the father in front of the village; even if the child reconsiders and does what the father asks.
- Opinion becomes self-judgement. Jesus doesn’t ask, “Which child honored the father?” Instead he asks, “Which child did the father’s will?” In answering “the child who said ‘no’ but did what the father asked,” the leaders’ return a judgement on themselves. Jesus points out that everyone heard the Baptizer’s call to metanoia (change your mind/heart) and to do what is right. Tax collectors and prostitutes acted (“did the father’s will”) while the leaders did nothing. To enter God’s kingdom requires action, not honor or status.
Summary and reflection
This week’s readings ask us to think about turning, emptying, and metanoia (change of heart/mind). Ezekiel emphasizes the need to turn away from wickedness and turn toward what is right and just. Paul asks the Philippians to empty out their selfishness to make room for service to others. Jesus tells his hearers that words alone are insufficient; disciples must change their minds and their actions to enter God’s kingdom.
As the saying goes, “talk is cheap.” Discipleship requires doing: hearing God’s will, stopping wrong actions, and doing right actions. Do we not only know the difference between right and wrong, but also do what is right? Do we act for others only when it benefits us personally or improves our social, political, or personal status? Have we taken to heart that change is more than just intellectual assent and really demands personal action?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 