September 27, 2026

Turn and Live

God desires our good. He does not want us to remain trapped by our sins, failures, or past choices. Through Ezekiel, the Lord calls us to “turn and live.”

This is the heart of repentance. Repentance is more than feeling sorry about something we have done. It means recognizing where we have turned away from God and, with His grace, changing direction and turning back toward Him.
Jesus gives us an example in the Gospel. The first son initially refuses his father’s request, but later changes his mind and goes. He gets it wrong at first, but that does not have to be the end of his story.
Neither do our failures have to be the end of ours.
We are all works in progress. God’s mercy allows us to turn around, come back, and begin again. Little by little, His grace transforms our hearts so that we become the people He created us to be.

• What strikes you most about the Lord’s invitation to “turn and live”? What does that tell you about how God sees us when we sin or fail?

• The first son initially says “no,” but later changes his mind and follows his father’s will. When have you experienced God giving you an opportunity to change direction or begin again?

• Repentance is more than feeling sorry; it means turning away from sin and back toward God. What is the difference between simply regretting something and truly repenting?

• St. Paul tells us to have “the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” What is one attitude, habit, or way of treating others that Christ may be inviting you to change?

• The homily asks, “What do I do now?” As you look at your relationship with Christ today, where might He be inviting you to turn around, come back, or begin again?

September 20, 2026

Generous in Forgiving - Week Three
We sometimes think we have to earn God’s forgiveness. Perhaps we’ve failed too many times, wandered too far, or waited too long to return.
But Isaiah gives us some very good news: “Turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.”
We see that generosity in the Gospel. Some workers spend the entire day in the vineyard; others arrive near the end. Yet all are welcomed and experience the landowner’s generosity.
Jesus is teaching us something about God: His mercy doesn’t operate according to our calculations.
Maybe you’ve been carrying something for years—a sin, failure, or regret you still struggle to let go of. Maybe it has been years since you’ve been to Confession.
It isn’t too late.
The Lord is still calling.
Turn to Him. Seek His mercy. The fruit of forgiveness is not endless guilt. It is freedom, joy, and the grace to begin again.

• St. Paul tells us to “conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the Gospel.” What does that look like in everyday life? Where do you find it most difficult to live differently because of your faith?
• “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks.” Which of these—joy, prayer, or thanksgiving—comes most naturally to you? Which is the greatest challenge right now?
• Isaiah tells us that God is “generous in forgiving.” Do you find it harder to believe that God forgives you, to forgive yourself, or to believe that God can forgive someone who has hurt you? Why?
• The workers who came to the vineyard late were still welcomed and treated generously. Have you ever felt that you had waited too long, wandered too far, or failed too often to begin again with God? What does this Gospel say to that fear?
• The fruit of forgiveness is freedom and joy. What is one burden, failure, resentment, or regret that you may be carrying that Christ is inviting you to place in His hands? What might taking one step toward His mercy look like this week?

September 13, 2026

Forgiveness Week Two

Peter asks Jesus how often he must forgive someone who sins against him. Seven times? Jesus responds, “Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, forgiveness has no limit.

That can be a difficult teaching, especially when someone has deeply hurt us. Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the wound wasn’t real or saying that what happened was okay. It means refusing to allow that wound to determine how we see another person—or how we live. And we don’t do this alone.

Jesus knows the wound. He knows what happened. He knows why forgiveness can seem impossible. He offers us the grace and healing we need, especially through the sacraments and the Church.

1.What part of Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness do you find most challenging? Why do you think that part is difficult for you?



2.What is the difference between forgiving someone and saying that what they did was acceptable? How can we forgive while still recognizing consequences or maintaining appropriate boundaries?



3.The homily describes all of us as “works in progress.” How does remembering Peter’s denial or Paul’s past help you understand your own struggles with forgiveness?



4.How can refusing to forgive keep a wound open or allow another person’s actions to continue having power over us? Have you ever experienced forgiveness bringing greater freedom or peace?



5.What might be one small step toward forgiveness that Jesus is asking you to take? Perhaps you cannot yet say, “I forgive,” but could you pray: “Jesus, I don’t know how to forgive this person, but I want to let You help me”?