Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 24, 2026

The following message by Sister Sharon McMillan, SNDdeN was provided by the SNDdeN Congregational Mission Office:

Matthew 21: 28-32

Jesus asks in today’s Gospel: “What is your opinion? Which of the two did his father’s will?” To whom does Jesus direct this sharp little parable about two sons? And what will the listeners’ choice reveal about their own hearts? Matthew tells us that Jesus is again wrestling with the chief priests and elders. They have just challenged his authority for clearing the Temple area and for holding teach-ins on the Temple grounds. Jesus’ concern is to vindicate his proclamation of God’s mercy and forgiveness against his critics. He announces that “the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” How that must have shocked his listeners, especially the religious authorities!

Jesus’ parable presents a man whose father asks him to go work in the vineyard. He rudely answers his father: “I will not.” But he later changes his mind, obeys his father, and goes to work. His brother, however, says, “Yes, of course I will go out and to your will!” But then he never goes. In response to experiences of God’s tenderness, some find the courage to “change their mind” and go into the vineyard of God’s beloved world; others held on even more tightly to the righteousness of their own views. They boldly proclaim that yes, they will go into the vineyard, but then refuse to go.

So Jesus asks, “Which of the two did his father’s will?” His question exposes the fact that the chief priests and elders, who should have been those most sensitive to the father’s will, actually are not concerned at all about divine authority; they are simply maneuvering to protect their own power.