“DIDJA KNOW?”
by: Deacon Paul Rooney (deaconpaul@cox.net)
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Cycle “A" – September 25, 2005)

Q. 338:   Can one who “denies their faith” ever come back into the Church?

A. 338:   Yes, this issue confronted Pope Cornelius in the 3rd Century, and he called a Synod of Bishops to proclaim that a truly repentant apostate who changes his mind can be readmitted to the Church community after the Sacrament of Reconciliation and penance.   One of the themes today is clearly the issue of “changing your mind.”   The teaching in the First Reading (Ezek 18:25-28) reminds us that if we turn away from a virtuous life, we shall die (losing eternal life with God).   However, if we turn away from evil ways and turn back to God, we shall live.   God holds out the offer of salvation, depending on our free will choices.

The Gospel (Matt 21:28-32) continues this theme.   In Jesus’ parable about the Two Sons, one refuses to work in the Father’s vineyard, but later changes his mind and does work.   The other son said that he would work, but did not do so.   The second son was a hypocrite; the first son did the Will of his Father after a change of heart.   To this story Jesus draws a lesson: if a sinner changes his ways and repents, he will enter the kingdom of God.

One of the hardest lessons an American Catholic has to learn today is the humility of obedience to Jesus Christ, and to the Church he established.   On Sunday we all publicly profess that we believe in “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church,” and then some of us promptly turn around and reject various teachings of this “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church” that might not agree with our personal lifestyle.   Who are the humble ones, and who are the hypocrites?

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25) is very appropriate today: “He shows sinners the way; he guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way.”

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM!  Salvation is found in the truth, and this truth has been entrusted to the Teaching Church (CCC #851).   Jesus asks for radical choices to gain the kingdom (CCC #546).   It is through his Apostles and their successors that he directs His Church, giving the keys of authority only to Peter and his successors (CCC #552).  Do we pray from sinful pride which says “only I know the truth,” or do we acknowledge the truth that flows from the Holy Spirit who guides the Church Magisterium’s teachings (CCC #2559)?

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha