Sunday, September 27, 2026 - Not words, but deeds

The useful part

When he asked people to raise their hands to indicate if they would come, about 70% of the 500 people present raised their hands. He fixed the following Saturday as the day on which they would go out to help. He asks the people to grow up and accept responsibility for their actions and not lay the blame on God's door.

How it works

• This turning to God has be a turning that is shown in action and not mere words.
• It is not God who punishes or condemns, but punishment is the consequence or result of a person's wrong doing.
• Ezekiel's portrayal is of a generous and forgiving God who wants everyone to come back to him.
• This theme of acceptance and forgiveness is affirmed by Matthew in the Gospel text.
• At the end of the parable of the two sons he says that those who turn to God after renouncing their former evil ways will indeed be saved.

Details worth keeping

There is an intimate connection between all three readings of today. The ones who persist in their evil ways condemn themselves. Anyone who turns back to God will be accepted and forgiven.