Reading from the book of Ezekiel EZ 18:25-28
Thus says the LORD:
You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed,
he does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm PS 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Second Reading
Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians PHIL 2:1-5
Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also for those of others.
Have in you the same attitude
that is also in Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. JN 10:17
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel
P: The Lord be with you.
P: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew MT 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
He said in reply, ‘I will not, ‘
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
BIDDING PRAYERS:
Let us pray for a deepening of love, unity, and peace in our lives.
Our prayer response is, “Loving God, hear our prayer.”
- That our mutual love for one another will deepen our bonds of spiritual communion in the blood of Christ, we pray: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”
- That the grace of conversion will renew nations in God’s peace, we pray: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”
- That racial and gender superiority will be replaced with genuine respect for diversity, we pray: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”
- That families will be centers of harmony rather than rivalry and resentment, we pray: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”
Saving God, by your Spirit of love and peace, help us to have the heart and mind of Christ. Grant this through Christ, our Redeemer.
