Sunday September 27, 2026, TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)

FIRST READING

When the wicked man turns away from his wickedness, he shall save his life.

*A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:25-28)*

Thus says the Lord: You say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous man turns away from it, his righteousness, and commits iniquity, he shall die for it; for the iniquity which he has committed he shall die. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 25:4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. 6a)

R/. Remember your compassion, O Lord.

O Lord, make me know your ways.

Teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth, and teach me;

for you are the God of my salvation.

I have hoped in you all day long. R/.

Remember your compassion, O Lord,

and your merciful love,

for they are from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth,

nor my transgressions.

In your merciful love remember me,

because of your goodness, O Lord. R/.

R/. Remember your compassion, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;

he shows the way to sinners.

He guides the humble in right judgement;

to the humble he teaches his way. R/.

SECOND READING

Have this mind among yourselves which was in Christ Jesus.

*A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:1-11)*

Brethren: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by agreeing, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 10:27

Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Afterwards he repented and went. The tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 21:28-32)*

At that time: Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, “What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterwards he repented and went. “And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir, ’but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? ”They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterwards repent and believe him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Creed (I Believe)

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant:

Christ the Lord teaches us that true discipleship consists in practicing the Christian faith we profess. With this in mind, let us pray that our assent to the faith may find expression in our daily lives.

FOR THE MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH: that they may be strengthened to submit to the will of God in every circumstance of their life, and, by so doing, follow the example of Christ who was obedient to the Father even to the point of death. We pray O Lord.

FOR THOSE IN CIVIL AUTHORITY: that in the exercise of their office, they may work with integrity, and that through them, the injustice which prevails in the world may be overcome. We pray O Lord.

FOR THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE: that in all their ordinary activities, Christians may imitate Christ in his humility, obedience and fidelity to God the Father. We pray O Lord.

FOR OURSELVES: that in docility of heart and humility of spirit, we may be led to repent of our sins, and follow the voice of Christ, our shepherd. We pray O Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).

FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. We pray O Lord.

We pray in silence for our private intentions.

Celebrant:

God our heavenly Father, you are good and upright in all your ways. We humbly ask you to listen favourably to our prayers and give us the grace to please you in our day-to-day lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

An important lesson from this gospel is this: we must never make assumptions about whom the Lord will accept or reject. There can be so much good in those we consider evil and there can be so much evil in those we consider good. The prostitutes, the tax collectors, the garage boys, the street urchins, the prisoners, and all those we see as the odd assortment of degeneration are finding their way to heaven through a sincere act of conversion. What matters to the Lord is sincerity of conversion and obedience to his word. In the words of G.K. Chesterton, “just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car”. We may come to church every day, recite the rosary, follow the Stations of the Cross, and observe other devotions; but if there is no sincere act of conversion, we are off the track. Jesus, I trust in you.

Today’s Saint and Quote: ST VINCENT DE PAUL – September 27th

-You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy – the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good. For God resists the proud.

-Read some chapter of a devout book….It is very easy and most necessary, for just as you speak to God when at prayer, God speaks to you when you read.

-The world would have peace if only men in politics would follow the Gospels.