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The Catholic Community of St. John the Evangelist

1061 S. Ellington Parkway, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 27, 2026

Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 2:5

GOD’S WAYS

In the stream of readings during this portion of Ordinary Time one week’s texts can often appear to pick up exactly where the previous week’s concluded. The sentiments expressed in today’s first reading seem to be a direct reaction to the Gospel passage we heard last week. In that Gospel, the landowner pays the same wages to his workers whether they worked for a full day or for only a few minutes. Today Ezekiel gives us the lament, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” (Ezekiel 18:25). These Sundays in Ordinary Time offer us a glimpse into the ways of the Lord. We see how God’s way has the tendency to turn the accepted conventions of the day upside down. Those who always expected that their way to heaven was guaranteed are disappointed. Those who thought they never had a chance are given that chance. Today offers us another opportunity to discover the abundance of God’s mercy and love.

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Masses for the Week

Announcements

Fr. Regi Away — Fr. Praveen Kumar Covering (Sept. 29 – Oct. 30)

Fr. Regi will be leaving for India on Sept. 29 and will return Oct. 30. Fr. Praveen Kumar will be staying at the rectory for the month. The Mass schedule will remain the same.

Religious Education — Today Is the Last Day to Register

TODAY, Sept. 27th, is the last day to register your child for Religious Education classes. If your child is receiving a sacrament in 2027, please come to a meeting at 10:15 today.

Religious Education & OCIA — Meeting Today, 10:15–11:30

Religious Education and OCIA will meet today at 10:15–11:30.

International Festival — Clarksville, Oct. 4

Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksville is having its annual International Festival on Oct. 4, from 12–6. Please see the bulletin board for more information.

Kroger Cards for Those in Need

We continue to get several calls a week for food and gas so if you are able, please pick up a Kroger card and drop it in the collection basket to help those in need.

Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries

As a member of St. John the Evangelist you are part of a strong community that—thanks to support provided by the BAAM—can provide opportunities for us, and our parish, to support the daily needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Through the Office of Vocations, the Appeal helps seminarians with the resources they need to answer God’s call. Resources such as room and board, textbooks and other educational materials are needed to prepare for priestly life. Through the office of Faith Formation, youth and young adult ministries are nurtured and supported which empowers spiritual growth of our youth, instills Catholic values, and cultivates future leaders. The Appeal also helps the needy through Catholic Charities.

The 2026 BAAM is coming to a close so if you have not donated please pick up an envelope in the hall or go to: appeal.dioceseofnashville.com

Word Among Us — October Issue

Pick up the October issue of the Word Among Us in the hall or vestibule.

Online Giving

Here is the established QR code for the parish if you would like to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: When the wicked turn away from their wickedness they have committed and do what is right, they shall surely live (Ezekiel 18:25-28).

Psalm: Remember your mercies, O Lord (Psalm 25).

Second Reading: Consider others as better than yourselves; look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others (Philippians 2:1-11 [1-5]).

Gospel: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you (Matthew 21:28-32).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Zec 8:1-8; Ps 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Mt 18:1-5, 10

Tuesday: Zec 8:20-23; Ps 87:1b-7; Lk 9:51-56

Wednesday: Neh 2:1-8; Ps 137:1-6; Lk 9:57-62

Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Ps 19:8-11; Lk 10:1-12

Friday: Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79:1b-5, 8-9; Lk 10:13-16

Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Ps 69:33-37; Lk 10:17-24

Sunday: Is 5:1-7; Ps 80:9, 12-16, 19-20; Phil 4:6-9; Mt 21:33-43

Reflecting on the Word

This is one of those parables that gets interesting when we put ourselves in the place of the religious leaders and listen to Jesus telling us this parable. Which one of the two sons would we like to be? It is uncomfortable to ask ourselves which son we most resemble. Ah yes, we would like to be the son who does his father’s bidding rather than the son who speaks the right words but does not act on it. But we could very well be the other one. In reality, neither option is flattering.

Let us say that the disobedient son depicts a Christian, and the other son depicts those who don’t believe in Jesus or his salvific gift to humanity. Or even those who don’t believe in God at all. Will they be part of God’s reign?

Growing up in a cosmopolitan city where I encountered people of different religious affiliations, I saw how their actions often appeared to live the gospel with little effort, even though they were not Christian, and I could not fathom how God would relegate them to the eternal fire just because they had inherited and chose to remain in a religion other than Christianity. Like the son who does as his father bids him, these people did the good works of mercy. I wonder if this parable directs us to live in great humility and faithfulness as we expand our understanding of the Kin-dom of God. We all, in the meantime, need to keep living faithfully and leave the rest up to God!

Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.

Adoration

8:00 AM — 1st Saturday of the month

7:00 PM — 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)