GOSPEL THOUGHTS
26th Week
– Sunday
Gospel – Luke 21:28-32
First Reading – Ez 18:25-28
Second Reading Phil 2:1-11 or
2:1-5
1) Change we can Believe in
The above phrase was a famous slogan of Barack Obama for Presidential campaign in 2008
*Yes we can* was the chant for the above slogan
As the campaign went on, people believed in the Change and finally change took place
Obama became the first African American President of United States
With Obama world saw a great change, both in perception and also in growth.
2) Change at the center of Bible
It is believed that the word *Change* appears many times in the scriptures.
In the very first book of the bible we have a reference to change - *Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes* Gen 35:2.
Even God changed His mind - *So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people*
All the prophets in the Old Testament have reference to the Word *Change*
John the Baptist starts his mission with the word *Change* The word repent is nothing but a call to change ones life. Mt 3:2
Jesus started his ministry with the Word *change* Jesus also uses the same word repent. Mt 4:17
3) Turning away from the wickedness
The first reading of today from Ezekiel speaks about turning away from the wickedness.
Turning away is another word for change.
Change from ones wickedness
Change from blaming God and finding fault with God
Change from the ways which leads to death
Change from unfair ways to fair ways
Such a change is necessary for a new and righteous way of life
Such change is necessary to save ones life for eternity
4) Both had Change, but in a different way
Change of the Elder son
The elder son starts with *I will not*
Later he changes this ‘I will not’ into ‘I will’ and he goes and does the work, which was asked by his Father
This change is a positive change
A change which made him to realize his mistake
A change which brought some kind of good feeling in his father and also in his life
A change which made the elder son to appreciate by others
A change which made others to think and to get some inspiration
Change of the younger son
Younger son starts with *Yes sir*
Later he changes *Yes sir* into *no sir*
This is a very negative change
A change from good to worse
A change from *yes* to *no*
A change from sincerity to hypocrisy
A change from authenticity to duplicity
A change from right way to wrong way
A change to destroy one’s own life
5) Two sons represent two categories of people
The elder son represents
The sinners
The tax collectors
The prostitutes
The simple people
These started with *I will not* but later they changed their way of life and they were able to enter into the kingdom of God
The Younger son represents
The Pharisees
The scribes
The so called elite and Holy people
Those who claimed to have the access into Gods kingdom
These started with *Yes Sir* but gradually failed to keep up the promise and they lost the Kingdom of God
6) What is the role of change in my life?
Change for the better or worse
Change - does it help me in any way or to my family members?
Change to become more holy or not?
Does my change makes me more human, humble, sincere, lovable, understandable, accountable or not?
Does my change help in any to serve others, to sacrifice for the sake of others?
What type of change I wish in my life?
7) Change is possible at any moment of my life
There is not particular moment for change. At Any moment one can change
Change always brings some changes in life.
More the positive change, more the growth
How do I see the change?
God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.
Fr Maxim D’Souza
Jeppu Seminary
Mangalore
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