26 Sunday in Ordinary th Time - Cycle A

A father once asked his two sons to go and work in his vineyard. The first son immediately said, “No, I will not go.” But later he thought about his father’s request, changed his mind, and went. The second son said, “Yes, Father, I will go.”  But he never went.

Jesus asks a simple question: “Which of the two did his father’s will?”  The answer is obvious: the first son. This little parable contains a very important message for our Christian life. God is not looking merely for beautiful words. He is looking for a heart that is willing to change and a life that puts faith into action.

The first reading from Ezekiel gives us the same message. God tells the sinner who turns away from sin and begins to do what is right that he will live. What a beautiful message of hope! Our past does not have to determine our future. We may have made mistakes. We may have failed God. We may have said “no” to Him many times. But God always gives us the grace to change direction.

Sometimes we are like the first son. We say “no” through our weaknesses, our selfishness, our anger, or our sins. But if we repent and return to God, our “no” can become a “yes.” At other times, we may be like the second son. We say all the right things: “Lord, I love you. Lord, I believe in you.” But our actions may not correspond to our words.

St. Paul gives us the perfect example in today's second reading: Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the Father, even to death on a cross. Jesus did not simply speak about love—He lived love. He did not simply speak about forgiveness—He forgave.

He did not simply speak about sacrifice—He gave Himself.

So today, the Lord asks each of us: What is my “yes” to God worth if I do not live it? Perhaps there is someone we need to forgive. Perhaps there is a good deed we have been postponing. Perhaps there is a sin we need to leave behind. Perhaps God is asking us to return to prayer. The good news is that it is never too late to change our answer to God.

Fr Tomy Thomas

2026 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal

By supporting the 2026 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal, you are supporting many programs and ministries of the Diocese of Camden and Saints Peter & Paul Parish. These ministries serve the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the hungry and challenged. When you support the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal, you offer comfort to those in your parish, your community, and throughout the entire Diocese.

This year’s theme, “Missionaries of Mercy,” supports the social and spiritual needs of our 62 parishes and 29 schools, with social services, hospital chaplaincy, youth & teen campus ministries, Catholic education, pastoral care initiatives, vocations, and faith formation programs. 

Together we make a stronger community with faith, compassion, and mercy.

Quick, Easy and Secure Online Giving – Click on the link below to make a one-time gift or set up monthly installments, via credit, debit, or checking/savings transaction and to view video.