Sunday Gospel: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Matthew 20:1-6

This week’s gospel passage is one of many within Matthew’s Gospel that show Jesus at odds with the religious authorities of his day. The picture of the religious leaders that comes through Matthew’s Gospel is one of hypocrisy. Jesus is frequently portrayed as criticising the leaders for holding too strongly to the letter of the law and ignoring the spirit of the law and the call to compassion. This week’s passage has Jesus seeking the opinion of the chief priests and elders on a hypothetical situation (a common style of debating a point of law in the Jewish tradition). He describes two sons, each asked by their father to go and work in the family vineyard. The first says ‘No’ but later does his father’s bidding. The second says ‘Yes’ but doesn’t follow through on his commitment.

Jesus is criticising the religious leaders of his time who, with their words, said ‘Yes’ to God but by their actions said ‘No’. He most certainly would have upset the leaders by telling them that tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of God before them. Whilst these tax collectors and prostitutes were regarded by the religious authorities as ‘sinners’ beyond redemption, Jesus holds them up in the image of the first son of the story. Although they may have said ‘No’ to God through their poor choices, ultimately they are saying ‘Yes’ to God in their acceptance of Jesus and the message of the kingdom of God. On the other hand, the leaders have said ‘Yes’ to God publicly through abiding by all the religious laws and maintaining a ‘religious profile’ but in their hearts and actions they have not truly said ‘Yes!’

(Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of Confirmation

Since last newsletter, we have celebrated two more Confirmation Masses at Holy Trinity, Curtin. They have all been beautiful, prayerful liturgies, celebrated by Father John Woods. Although Mass on each night has been quite different to Confirmations held previously, many have agreed that they have been wonderful nights with a more personal touch. Tonight we will celebrate with the last of the candidates from our school at 6pm.

Thank you to all of the parents for the wonderful job they did preparing their children during the Home Groups program

Children’s Liturgy This Weekend

Children’s liturgy will be held this weekend at Holy Trinity, Curtin during the 9:30 Sunday Mass. Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month during term time.

God bless,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator