The Gospel according to Matthew (21:28-32)
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
Reflection:
I hadn’t really pondered it before now, but we who follow the Catholic faith are blessed that we have two opportunities each year in the church calendar to “course-correct”. The obvious one is the season of Lent, where we focus on prayer, fasting and alms-giving or acts of service, that we might turn back to God. We have the second opportunity during this season we are in now: Advent. It may not be a “penitent” season, but it is an opportunity, as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas to see how we are living out our faith (or if we are falling short).
The Gospel today highlights this choice that we all make each day. Are we like the first son in Jesus’ parable, initially hesitant to follow, but ultimately making the right decision to do what God asks? Or are we like the second, saying “yes”, but then choosing to do otherwise? Jesus shows the religious leaders of His day to be in that second category, and He uses very strong language to show what the ultimate outcome will be for those individuals.
The point I want to make is that we are all called to see this season not as a season of gift-buying, gift-giving, and gift-getting, but as a chance to reform our lives, much as we are called to do during Lent. Can we think of any better gift we could ever give than to extend Jesus’ love into our world? It does not have to be in any impressive, showy way, either. Can’t we take an extra moment during this season to see someone who is on the margins, who just needs a kind word, and acknowledgement that he or she is a child of God, even as we are? And, how about this additional thought: can’t we try to do that not only during the seasons of Lent and Advent, but all year through? What a gift that will be, if only we act like that first son and choose to go into the vineyard of the Lord and serve Him!
Action for the Day:
My friends, my prayer for you is that you know deeply how much you are loved by the God who created you! Today, take an extra moment in all the hustle and bustle to pay attention to those whom God places before you. If you can brighten someone’s day with a smile or kind word, or even some other kind deed, I hope you will do it!
Link to the DEACON5 website: https://deacon5.com/
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