Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 27, 2026
REFLECTION ON TODAY'S READING
Obedience Through Your Grace
Lord, with a grateful heart for this new day You have given me, I open my whole self to encounter You.
Today You teach me through this parable: “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He replied, ‘I don’t want to.’ But later he changed his mind and went. He went to the second son and said the same thing. He replied, ‘I will go, sir.’ But he did not go” (Mt 21:28–32). I ask myself, which of the sons do I identify with? Sometimes I promise to follow You, but my words remain just that—words. Other times I resist, but Your grace transforms me, and I act.
Grant me the grace today to say “Yes” to your call and to proclaim you in everything I do. I offer you this day with love..
Under the directive from the Diocese of Honolulu
St. Joseph Church has set up an egiving program to allow parishioners and guests an easier way to give. It will also allow the donors to: 1. Give from anywhere using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. 2. No need to find a check or stop by the ATM. 3. Use your Checking/Savings Account or your Debit/Credit Card. 4. Schedule gifts to occur automatically. Click on the give now link or on your phone using my parish app. “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 16:17
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Saint Joseph Church Makawao - Bulletin
The Gospel Reading, Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus poses a question to the chief priests and elders on the meaning of obedience.
The context for today’s Gospel is the mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and overturned the money changers’ tables in the Temple. Jesus has caught the attention of the religious authorities; the chief priests and elders question Jesus about the source of his authority. Jesus refuses to name for these religious leaders the source of his authority. Instead, he questions the priests and elders through the parable we hear in today’s Gospel. The answer given by the religious leaders is correct, but it convicts them for their failure to heed the call of John the Baptist and for their inability to recognize the Kingdom of God.
The situation Jesus poses is rather straightforward. Given the same task by their father, one son asserts his disobedience in words, but then obeys in his actions; the second son obeys with his words, but disobeys in his actions. The question that Jesus poses is pointed and direct: Which son did what the father wanted? All would agree that “actions speak louder than words” and that even if his words were disobedient, the son who did the work as ordered did the father’s will.
Jesus’ conclusion is also direct. The chief priests and elders, the ones who speak most often about God, did not act accordingly. They did not respond to the message of repentance announced by John the Baptist with a change of heart. Instead, John’s message was heeded by those one would not expect to repent—tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners. Because of their actions, these sinners will enter the Kingdom of God ahead of the religious leaders.
Jesus could ask us the same question. Do our words indicate our obedience to God? If not our words, do our actions? God desires a full conversion of heart, that our actions (and our words as well) will give evidence of our love for God.
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(https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection )
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A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
Saint Augustine, a doctor of the church, once wrote that he first, second, and third most important attitude in Christianity is humility. In today’s second reading, Saint Paul is concerned with how we conduct ourselves in our community of faith. He urges us to let our conduct be worthy of the Gospel we say that we believe; and that it all begins with humility. He asks us to consider others better than ourselves, and to serve them by looking out for their best interest, not ours. Consider how Saint Paul’s appeal to imitating Christ’s humility can enhance your relationships.
—— (https://catholicstewardship.com/)
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