We are called today to reflect on our response to God, who wants all to be saved. We reflect on our response to God’s salvation through repentance of our sins and the virtue of humility, without which there cannot be true repentance.
In the first reading, we heard Prophet Ezekiel calling the people to repentance. He reminded them of their personal responsibility in repentance of any evil deed. When someone in error owns up to their faults and repents of their sins, they deserve to live, but when a righteous person begins to sin and dies in it, they are guilty of the negative change. That shows us the power of repentance in our spiritual life.
The responsorial psalm is a prayer evoking God’s mercy upon us and those who, in humility, turn to God for mercy.
In the second reading, St. Paul went further to encourage us to embrace the humility of Christ as our model. We are encouraged to adopt the same mind of Christ, who, though equal with God, humbled Himself and became a servant, even to the point of death. With humility, we can keep ourselves in check against unhealthy competition that leads people into sin.
In the gospel, Jesus tells us a parable about the two brothers’ attitude to their father’s request. The first son initially refused to do what their father said but later repented and obeyed, while the second promised obedience but didn’t follow through. The parable teaches us the significance of true repentance and the value of actions over mere words.
God calls us to examine our hearts, turning away from wickedness and seeking righteousness. It shouldn’t be by mere words of promise to God. We should accompany it with genuine actions. God has invited us to love Him and our neighbour, turn back to him when we are in error, and embrace humility in imitation of Christ as a tool for true contrition.