Liturgy, Life, and the Lectionary

In this episode, the hosts discuss the theme of conversion and obedience in the readings for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time. They analyze the first reading from Ezekiel, which calls for the people of Judah to turn away from sin and back to the Lord. They emphasize that conversion means turning away from sin and toward God. They also explore the responsorial psalm, which highlights the need for humility and recognizing our dependence on God. The second reading from Philippians emphasizes Christ's obedience and humility as an example for us to follow. The hosts discuss the importance of obedience and serving others. Lastly, they analyze the Gospel parable of the two sons, which highlights the importance of doing the Father's will. They challenge listeners to examine whether they are truly obedient and open to conversion. Heyo everyone, welcome back to Liturgy, Life, and the Lectionary. I'm your guest, Nathan Folds, and joining me today is our guest, Chris. How are you today, Chris French? Oh hey, Nathan. How are you doing? I'm great. I'm excited to dive on into the readings for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Today we'll be talking about the theme of conversion and obedience. What does it look like to be converted by the liturgy? How do we live that out in our everyday life? Which character am I in the readings? Very exciting, Nathan. Exactly, Chris. Let's dive right in. Our first reading today is from chapter 18 of Ezekiel, and if we take a look at the historical context, we see that Ezekiel is writing just before the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. Now, Ezekiel doesn't shy away from condemning the wickedness he sees at the time, which he warns will ultimately lead to ruin, but he also provides glimmers of hope for the future. In today's text, Ezekiel is calling the people of Judah to conversion, to turn away from sin and turn back to the Lord. But this message applies to us today. You're right, Nathan. I think in this reading we see that all of us are called to conversion and that it is never too late to turn away from our sins. In fact, that conversion is exactly what the Lord is inviting us to do in the liturgy. Conversion literally means to turn around, and this turning is key to Ezekiel's message. In verse 26, we hear that when someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity and die, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. In this instance, there is a turning, a conversion of sorts, but it is a conversion to iniquity and death. That's not exactly the conversion we're looking for, is it, Nathan? No, Chris. No, it's not. Thankfully, that's not where the reading ends. It goes on to tell us that there is another option, a conversion to life. In verse 27, we hear just what this conversion consists in, if he turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life. The conversion the Lord is inviting us to is a conversion away from sin and toward himself. It's remarkable how similar Ezekiel's description of conversion is to the way that the Catechism describes conversion. The Catechism says conversion is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our hearts, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. When we allow ourselves to be converted, we allow ourselves to be turned toward the Lord. We turn away from death and toward life itself. Wow, Nathan, that's a great insight. I really like this way of talking about conversion. I do have one question, though. What exactly do you think Ezekiel means when he says that we must do right and just? Great question, Chris. Actually, if you look just a few verses earlier in chapter 18, verse 21, we get a clue as to what this is. There Ezekiel says, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. So I think we see here that doing what is right consists in our obedience to God's statutes, or we might say in our obedience to God's will. So Nathan, it seems like we see here that the themes of conversion and obedience running through today's reading are really inseparable. Definitely. And it seems like they're inseparable from the liturgy, too. In fact, I think the first reading from Ezekiel helps us really reflect on the penitential right in the liturgy. At the very beginning of the Mass, we ask ourselves to call to mind our sins, to recognize where we haven't been obedient to God's will, and to repent. In a way, we're asked to allow ourselves to be converted at the very beginning of the Mass as a sort of preparation for the rest of the liturgy. To fully participate, we must be willing to turn away from our sins and be turned towards the Lord, who we will encounter in the Word and in the Eucharist. Great connection, Chris. Welcome back. Our responsorial psalm this weekend guides us toward a deep meditation upon the mercies of the Lord. In this responsorial psalm, we hear good and upright is the Lord, thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice and teaches the humble his way. We hear in verse 6 and 7 of the Lord's invitation to teach us his way, but we cannot learn from him unless we first realize our needs from God. That is so true, Chris. The Hebrew word for humble that we see used here is the word anawim, which means those who are poor, those who lack sufficient resources for themselves, such as cash, food, or clothing. The psalmist, however, gives the word a fresh interpretation. He makes reference to people who recognize their inferiority and frailty and put all of their faith in God. As we become aware of our frailty, God starts teaching us. We see this when we pray. In prayer, he instructs us in his ways because we are receptive to hearing him who has all to give. Wow. Beautiful synthesis, Nathan. Thanks, Chris. Our second reading this week is from Philippians and includes the famous Christ Hymn. Now, this canticle speaks about Christ obediently humbling himself, accepting death, and then being exalted. If, after hearing the first reading and responsorial psalm, you were wondering what exactly obedience looks like or what it means to be humble, I think this reading gives us the answer. True obedience and humility are shown to us in Christ. He gives us the example we are to follow. As St. Paul tells us, we must have in us the same attitude of humility and obedience that Christ had. Very true, Nathan. Just like Ezekiel in the first reading, Paul encourages us at the beginning of this passage to convert, to turn away from our own selfishness, pride, and sin. He writes to the Philippians, Do nothing out of selfishness or vain glory. Rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests but for also those of others. We must experience a conversion as we turn to look outside of ourselves and recognize the needs of our brothers and sisters. We see that this conversion is bound up with obedience since Paul immediately goes on to give us the example of Christ to follow. Like Christ, we must be obedient to the will of the Father, to empty ourselves in humility as we serve others. We must be obedient even to the point of death as we follow Christ's example of humble service. That's a great point, Chris. You know, I think something significant to consider is that parts of this canticle are used repeatedly throughout Holy Week, particularly verses 8 and 9, which go, Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. This text is used for the Gospel acclamation on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, as well as an antiphon that takes the normal place of the responsory in the Liturgy of the Hours during the whole of the Triduum. It really holds an important place in the very core of the liturgical year. Christ's obedience in pouring himself out canonically is at the very heart of our belief, and I think this reading invites us to imitate him in pouring ourselves out in humble obedience to the Father. Astounding, Nathan. Thanks, Chris. Welcome back. In today's Gospel, we hear Christ tell the parable of the two sons. One son says he will not do the task, but ends up doing it. The other son says that he will, and then does not. Christ asks, which of the sons did the Father's will? The second, the audience says. Exactly, Chris. You know, we see here, as we see again in the third week of Advent, that Christ is going somewhere with this parable. He has a punchline in mind. Who is this parable directed to? Well, in the context of the Gospel, it's the chief priests and the elders. Right on, Nathan. Christ is directly addressing the chief priests and elders' hypocrisy by telling them this parable. Jesus gives them a definite punch to the gut in verse 31 when he says, Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. Ouch! Yeah, ouch indeed, Nathan. The hurt and confusion that must have been on their faces after hearing this would have been a sight to see. They think that they are in right relationship with God because of their status or title, but in fact, they are the first son in the parable. Truly, I think I see where you're going with this, Chris. For us today, God is calling all of us to himself, which begs the question, which son am I? Am I the son or daughter that repeatedly break their word by saying, as in Exodus 19 verse 18, I will do everything the Lord has said, but then doesn't? Right on, Nathan. From the gospel, we should be asking ourselves, am I making a pledge like the Israelites at Sinai to uphold the Torah and not uphold it, or like the Christian who makes a commitment to help out at the parish fish fry, but then doesn't go? These kinds of people are ultimately depending upon their own strength. Such a person can never please the Lord. They are walking in unbelief. Exactly, Chris. We can hear this echoed in the related passage of Luke chapter 7 verses 29 through 30. Let's listen. All the people who listened, including the tax collectors and those who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God, but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves. From this, we see that those who do the will of the Father humbly recognize that they are sinners in need of a savior. This is the person who trusts in Jesus instead of bragging about their awesome prayer life. The one who confesses, God, I tried, but I can't do it on my own. You know what is best. A person who does the Father's will is one who is open to conversion and ultimately open to being obedient. But first, we must recognize those places in our lives that we have failed and ask God for the help to do his will in the first place. Amen, Nathan. Well, Chris, it looks like that's about all the time we have for today. Are there any words of wisdom you want to leave our audience with? Well, Nathan, I think I just want to reiterate those themes we heard so much today. Conversion and obedience, two inseparable ideas that lie at the very heart of Christian life and liturgy. I guess that brings us to the end of our podcast. Thanks for joining me today, Chris. No problem. Thanks for joining me, Nathan. No problem. Thanks for listening, everyone. And make sure to join us next time when Caleb and Christian will be discussing the reading for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time and see how crime and property bylaws negatively impact a local vineyard owner's life on another episode of Liturgy, Life, and the Collectionary.