{"id":5990,"date":"2026-09-24T23:53:38","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T23:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/lectio-divina-26th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-when-yes-becomes-life\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T23:56:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T23:56:32","slug":"lectio-divina-26th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-when-yes-becomes-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/lectio-divina-26th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-when-yes-becomes-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Lectio Divina 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: When Yes Becomes Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/p>\n

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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time \u00b7 Matthew 21:28\u201332<\/p>\n

Which one did the Father\u2019s will<\/em>?<\/h1>\n

When yes becomes a way of life<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

This Lectio Divina for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time<\/strong>, Year A, leads us into Matthew 21:28\u201332<\/strong>, the parable of the two sons. One promises to obey but never goes; the other refuses, then changes his mind and enters the vineyard. Through Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio and Communicatio, we receive the Word in the Augustinian Recollect spirit, in personal prayer and in community.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

01<\/strong>\u00a0 Lectio<\/a>
\n02<\/strong>\u00a0 Meditatio<\/a>
\n03<\/strong>\u00a0 Oratio<\/a>
\n04<\/strong>\u00a0 Contemplatio<\/a>
\n05<\/strong>\u00a0 Communicatio<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Invocation<\/p>\n

Come, Holy Spirit<\/h2>\n
\n

Come, Holy Spirit,
\nthrough whom every faithful soul
\nthat believes in Christ is made holy
\nand becomes a citizen
\nof the city of God.<\/p>\n

Come, Holy Spirit;
\nmake us receptive to God\u2019s prompting.
\nKindle your fire within us,
\nenlighten us and lift our hearts to God.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Saint Augustine (En. Ps. 45, 8 \u00b7 Serm. 128, 4)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

The Gospel<\/p>\n

Matthew 21:28\u201332<\/h2>\n

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time<\/p>\n

\n

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders: \u201cWhat do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, \u2018Son, go and work in the vineyard today.\u2019 The son answered, \u2018I will, sir,\u2019 but he did not go.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The father went to the second son and made the same request. He replied, \u2018I will not,\u2019 but later he changed his mind and went. Which of the two did his father\u2019s will?\u201d They answered, \u201cThe second.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus said to them, \u201cTax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing this, you did not change your minds and believe him.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Gospel of the Lord<\/p>\n

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
01<\/div>\n

Lectio<\/p>\n

What the text says<\/h2>\n

Saint Augustine \u00b7 On Holy Virginity 35, 35; 36, 36\u201337<\/p>\n

\n

Jesus never taught what he had not first lived. We can therefore receive his invitation with the eyes of faith: \u201cCome to me and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.\u201d<\/strong> All the treasures of wisdom are found in him, yet he shows us that becoming small opens the way to peace.<\/p>\n

Let everyone who longs for truth and mercy listen to him. Let the weary hear him, along with those afraid to rise and sinners making their way home from far away. The centurion, Zacchaeus, the sinful woman, tax collectors and the sick all found in Christ the possibility of a new life. Turning towards him, they learned gentleness and humility of heart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Saint Thomas of Villanova<\/p>\n

Some presume so much upon God\u2019s mercy that they neglect their actions. Others place so much trust in their actions that they forget the grace of God.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Reflection<\/p>\n

The obedience that sets us free<\/h2>\n
\n

Christian freedom says yes to God through the shape of a life, even when the first answer was no. The second son resists, but he allows the father\u2019s call to change his decision. His return shows that a mistaken response need not become the final one.<\/p>\n

The two sons reveal something of us. We sometimes say the right words while pride, resentment or indifference keeps us outside the vineyard. At other times we begin with refusal, recognise the truth and set out. The decisive movement is conversion.<\/p>\n

Knowing what is good, speaking about God or appearing religious is not enough. Jesus seeks a coherence that reaches ordinary choices. Faith takes flesh when it serves, cares and chooses the good out of love.<\/p>\n

Tax collectors and prostitutes received John\u2019s call because they knew they needed a new life. Those who considered themselves close to God would not let the truth correct them. The most dangerous distance may come from believing that we no longer need conversion.<\/p>\n

Obedience to the Father does not erase freedom. It directs freedom towards the good we truly desire. A Christian yes is more than a sentence spoken once; it becomes visible in the way we live.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
02<\/div>\n

Meditatio<\/p>\n

What the Word says to me<\/h2>\n
\u201cTax collectors and prostitutes believed him.\u201d<\/div>\n

Jesus asks a simple question that brings our own attitudes into view. The Father\u2019s will may seem clear, yet selfishness, pride and a reluctance to give ourselves can keep us still even when we know the path.<\/p>\n

Does my answer to God remain in words, or does it become self-giving?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich of the two did his father\u2019s will?\u201d<\/div>\n

Those who appeared far away welcomed the message and allowed it to change them. They admitted their need for mercy and received the grace of a new beginning. Nearness to the kingdom is measured by a life opened to Christ, not by appearances.<\/p>\n

Do I recognise my need for grace, or do I assume that I am already close enough to God?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
03<\/div>\n

Oratio<\/p>\n

What I say to God<\/h2>\n
\n

Everyone suffers when pain comes,
\nbut not everyone responds in the same way.
\nWhat becomes a path of virtue for one
\nmay feel unbearable to another.<\/p>\n

In the same fire gold shines
\nwhile straw gives off smoke.
\nThe same trial purifies one person
\nand overwhelms another.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Saint Augustine (The City of God 1, 8, 2)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
04<\/div>\n

Contemplatio<\/p>\n

Keep me mindful of you, Lord<\/h2>\n
\n

In the silence\u2026<\/p>\n

Hear the father\u2019s request: \u201cSon, go and work in the vineyard today.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second son refuses at first, then changes his mind and goes.<\/p>\n

Look at Jesus as he tells the parable and allow his gaze to reach your first response.<\/p>\n

Let him look at you<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, go today.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Jesus, all is not lost when our first answer is wrong. We can still return, change and begin again.<\/p>\n

Remain<\/p>\n

Let Christ show you what needs to become a genuine yes today.
\nPray: \u201cLord, may my yes to you become visible in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

To contemplate is to let the Word turn intention into life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
05<\/div>\n

Communicatio<\/p>\n

In community<\/h2>\n

In him we are one<\/p>\n

\n

Share<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speak about what the Lord has stirred in the heart.<\/p>\n

What has Jesus revealed in the way I respond to him?
\nWhat does moving from words to life mean for me?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Discern<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen together for what the Lord may be saying to the community.<\/p>\n

Where do our words and actions need greater consistency with the Gospel?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Walk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Choose one concrete yes for the coming week.<\/p>\n

What is the Lord asking of me today?
\nWhat shared action could express our response?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Restless, we listen;
\nconverted, we answer;
\ntogether, we do the Father\u2019s will.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Prayer<\/p>\n

\n

Thank you, my Lord,
\nfor all you have given me
\nand inspired within me in this moment.<\/p>\n

May my restless heart
\nnever cease to burn
\nuntil at last it rests in you,
\nthe one true love.<\/p>\n

May everything be for the greater glory of your name,
\nas we become one mind
\nand one heart directed towards you,
\nour God.<\/p>\n

Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Prayer<\/p>\n

For Vocations<\/h2>\n
\n

Lord our God,
\nlet the call of your voice reach many hearts.<\/p>\n

May they rise and learn to live as one in you.<\/p>\n

Prepare their hearts through your Word,
\nso that they may bring good news to the poor
\nand care for your abundant harvest.<\/p>\n

May all whom you call to Augustinian Recollect life
\nhear your voice
\nand have the courage to do your will.<\/p>\n

Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

And now\u2026<\/p>\n

Let yourself be moved \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

dejate.inquietar.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

PredicAR \u00b7 Augustinian Recollects<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lectio Divina for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, on Matthew 21:28-32: the parable of the two sons and the yes that becomes life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":5991,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[342],"tags":[684,688,689,687,690,691,683,692,685,693,686],"class_list":["post-5990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lectio","tag-28-32","tag-christian-conversion","tag-christian-obedience","tag-doing-gods-will","tag-gospel-of-the-26th-sunday-in-ordinary-time","tag-lectio-divina-cycle-a","tag-matthew-21","tag-moving-from-words-to-life","tag-parable-of-the-two-sons","tag-tax-collectors-and-prostitutes","tag-the-fathers-will"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5990"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6003,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5990\/revisions\/6003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inquietar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}