September 26

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Matt. 21: 28-32

Today's reading is the first of three parables of judgment upon the religious foes of Jesus. The parables continue Mark's emphasis on Jesus and his preaching as the crucial moment in Israel's history. This parable can be viewed from a number of perspectives. First of all, the gospel is preached and heard by sinners and outcasts and rejected by the religious establishment. We also find the hypocrisy of the religious person saying one thing and doing another. In addition, vs. 31-32 links Jesus with John the Baptist who also urged repentance and was rejected by the religious leaders but accepted by tax collectors and harlots.

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Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there were two sisters who were the neighborhood baby-sitters. One evening the new couple on the block hired the younger sister to baby sit for their children. When they returned home, the house was a mess, the sitter was half asleep on the couch, and it looked like the children had not followed their routine of washing up and brushing their teeth. The next morning, the children were so excited. They told their parents how the sitter had played with them and told them wonderful stories and run races with them and helped them say their prayers before they went to sleep. Still, the parents decided they would not use a sitter who left such a mess again. The next time they went out they hired the older sister. When they returned home this time, the house was neat and orderly, the children asleep, the baby-sitter at the table studying. She reported that the children had been angels and there were no problems. They were very pleased with her and gave her an extra tip. The next morning the children complained that the sitter had yelled at them using swear words, made them play outside after dark while she talked to her boyfriend on the phone, made them go to bed early, and then went outside and smoked and talked with some friends. Which of the two sitters would you want to use?