September 28, Twenty-Sixth Sunday

Remember your mercies, O Lord.--Psalm 25:6

Mass readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28 / Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5 / Matthew 21:28-32

Obedience of Love

I once asked my three-year-old to throw something away for me. She looked at me thoughtfully, and then did what I had requested. On her way back, she said, ''Mommy, I didn't want to do that, but I did it anyway because I love you.'' Her words so perfectly cinched the idea of sacrificial love that they became for us a household maxim: I don't want to do it, but I will because I love you.

In the parable of today's Gospel, a father tells his son to work in the vineyard. Although he doesn't want to -- and even says he won't -- the son does it anyway. Jesus asks the same of me: to follow His commands, not merely in words, but in action; even if I don't want to. Because I love Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I always do Your will, in spite of mine.