Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
Dear Brothers and sisters,
Perhaps we know someone like Thomas—or perhaps part of his story is our own.
Thomas had made choices that hurt those he loved and carried him away from God. Though he continued with daily life, his heart felt empty. He wondered whether God could still want him.
Then a friend noticed his pain. Instead of judging him, the friend listened, helped him, and prayed for him. This kindness gave Thomas hope. He began to pray again: “Jesus, if you are still there, help me.”
In time, Thomas returned to Mass and made his first confession in many years. As he heard the words of absolution, a heavy burden began to lift. In the Eucharist, he met Jesus not as a distant figure, but as a living and merciful friend.
His life did not become perfect overnight. Yet through kindness, prayer, and the sacraments, his wounded spirit began to heal. Thomas discovered that Jesus knew everything about him and still loved him. By God’s grace, his spirit was alive again.
His story helps us understand today’s readings.
When Scripture speaks of life and death, it does not always refer to the body. A person may be physically alive while feeling spiritually empty. Sin wounds our friendship with God, harms our relationships, and closes our hearts to grace.
Yet this is not the end of the story. Through repentance and God’s mercy, the wounded spirit can be restored to life.
God Calls Us Back to Life
In the first reading, the people complain, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” Through Ezekiel, God reminds them that each person can choose to turn back to him.
God offers us a beautiful promise: our past does not have to determine our future. If someone turns away from sin and does what is right, God says, “He shall surely live, he shall not die.”
This is the heart of God’s mercy. The Lord desires our life, not our destruction. When we turn back to him, our weakened spirit begins to breathe again, our hardened heart softens, and we begin the journey home.
Repentance is not God rejecting us. It is God lovingly restoring us to the people he created us to be.
That is why we pray, “Remember your mercies, O Lord.” God remembers us according to his goodness and receives us as we are. The psalm says that the Lord “shows sinners the way.” Even when we become lost, God continues to guide us home. His grace awakens our desire to return, and his mercy welcomes us when we do.
In the second reading, Saint Paul shows us what renewed spiritual life looks like: “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.”
Pride, resentment, and selfishness can leave us empty. Jesus shows us the way of humility, service, and love. Though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself, became our servant, and was obedient even to death on a cross.
Jesus Makes All Things New
Who is this Jesus who brings our spirits to new life?
Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came to reveal the Father’s boundless love for us. He is the Good Shepherd who lovingly searches for us, the Divine Physician who gently heals our wounds, and the faithful friend who never leaves our side. On the cross, he gave himself completely for us; through his Resurrection, he opened the way to joy, hope, and everlasting life.
Jesus welcomes us just as we are. He knows our whole story, calls each of us by name, and gives us the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts. With patience and tenderness, he walks beside us and leads us into a deeper friendship with him.
To be born again in the spirit is to allow the heart of Christ to grow within us. We begin to ask, “What is God calling me to do? Who needs my help? Whom can I forgive? Where can I bring his love?”
This renewal is not accomplished through willpower alone. It is the work of grace. Through prayer, Reconciliation, and the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart and teaches us how to love.
Some of us may wonder how to approach Jesus or what we should say to him. We can begin just as we are. We do not need perfect words or a perfect life. In the quiet of our hearts, we can simply say, “Jesus, I am here. I want to know you. Please help me take the next step.” We can tell him about our joys, worries, regrets, and hopes, trusting that he listens with love. We come to know his voice by reading even a few verses from the Gospels each day.
In Reconciliation, Jesus welcomes us with mercy and gives us a new beginning. In the Eucharist, he comes personally to nourish and strengthen us. We also draw close to him whenever we offer kindness to someone who is lonely, poor, suffering, or in need. Every sincere prayer and loving action opens our hearts a little more to his friendship.
Our First Answer Is Not Our Final Answer
In today’s Gospel, a father asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first refuses but later changes his mind and goes. The second says yes but does not go. The first son does the father’s will because he changes his heart and his actions.
His first answer did not become his final answer.
That is the hope of repentance. Even if we have said no to God, we can still say yes. God says, “Forgive,” and we can release our anger. God says, “Serve,” and we can offer our help. And God says, “Come back to me,” and we can take the first step home.
The tax collectors and prostitutes had lived far from God, yet they believed John’s message and opened their hearts to grace. Their stories remind us that no one is beyond God’s mercy—not our neighbor and not ourselves. The Lord sees every heart, lovingly calls each of us home, and can bring new life where hope seems lost.
Perhaps you carry regret or feel unworthy to return. Today God says through Ezekiel: turn back and live. Jesus says through the Gospel: you can still change your answer and enter the vineyard.
God’s mercy is greater than your worst moment, and his love is stronger than your deepest wound.
Every sincere confession is a return to the vineyard. Every act of repentance is a step from death toward life. Each time we pray, forgive, serve, or show kindness, the life of Christ grows within us.
Take One Step Toward Jesus
This week, choose one small step toward Jesus. Speak with him in prayer. Read a passage from the Gospel. Return to Confession if you have been away. Receive Jesus in the Eucharist with renewed faith. Offer kindness to someone who needs it.
Do not wait until you feel worthy. We approach Jesus not because we have already healed ourselves, but because he is our Savior and healer. Bring him your sins, wounds, doubts, and hopes. He knows you completely, loves you faithfully, and calls you by name.
Through God’s grace, spiritual death never has the final word. The Father calls us home. Christ saves and befriends us. The Holy Spirit restores us to life.
Our first answer does not have to be our final answer. We can return to the vineyard. We can walk in friendship with Jesus. And we can be born again in the spirit.
“Remember your mercies, O Lord”—and in your love, bring us to new life.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
