The Word of God
Jesus said, "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today .' He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him."
Matthew 21:28-32
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus asks us to think about whether our words and actions are in agreement. It is easy to talk, to pronounce and to make statements. It is more difficult to give time, effort and attention. I profess my faith not only on Sundays in words but also in the time I give to working for the reign of God during the week. Jesus values a few small acts more than many fine words.
- Lord, you continually invite me to fullness of life. I pray that through Sacred Space my faith in you may grow ever deeper and that it may be expressed by my desire to serve others.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- In this continued interaction between Jesus and the priests and elders in the temple, Jesus is comparing them to the second son who says yes but then does not follow through with his promise. The tax collectors and prostitutes who were the very people rejected by society at the time were in fact destined for the kingdom of God ahead of those who believed they were entitled because of their position in society.
- Which son am I in my interactions with others and in following God’s will? Do I say yes but then change my mind and do nothing or do I say no at first but after thought and prayer reconsider my decision?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus is really challenging us in this gospel. Many of us have said yes to God by our baptism and membership of the Church, but can we say that we always carry out what God is asking us to do? Do we think that because we are practising Christians we are in a privileged position? Do we spend a lot of time praying in church but not doing much loving outside of it? Do we find ourselves speaking in a critical or condescending way of less devout Christians or of people who do not seem to be very moral by our standards?
- Possibly, after some honest reflection, we may have to admit that we are not really in a position to sit in judgement of others. As Christmas approaches, let us be followers of the Lord in deeds as well as words.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- There were different responses to Jesus in his time as there are now. Some people saw themselves as the privileged people and felt entitled to the primary places. Outsiders, such as tax collectors and sinners acknowledged their need and were more open to Jesus and his message. Jesus whose life was a ‘yes’ to the Father wants our ‘yes’ to be authentic and sincere.
- There are different responses to the Lord in my own life. I pray to be more aware of my need for the Lord and to let that need open me to the gift. My emptiness can become space for the Lord. Does my frailty turn me to the Lord or to myself? I desire freedom and pray to see the Lord more clearly for who he is so that I may love him more dearly.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- This simple parable is turned into a fierce polemic against the chief priests and elders. This is understandable given their role in the Passion. Only in Luke’s Gospel do we have the words of Jesus from the cross, ‘Father forgive them, they know not what they do.’ How would that fit into Matthew’s Gospel?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The gospel reminds us of something we often forget: words can be meaningless. Promises are empty when not followed by action. The first son is arrogant but his action shows his goodness. The second son sounds co-operative but fails to keep his promise.
- Do I make promises to others that quickly go out the window? My good intentions are no good to the person I intended to help, but didn’t. Could I say: “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to do that for you,” instead of promising what I already know is not going to happen?
- Let me take a few moments of silence to read over the gospel text again and see does anything come to my attention. And I could make a prayer asking for help to be honest in speaking of my intentions.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The Lord has always prepared great things for the people that he chose as his own. But when the actual offer of these gifts came to be made through God’s envoys, the prophets, the people turned it all down. The preaching of John the Baptist is only the latest example - his appeal for belief was rejected by his own people, but accepted by the prostitutes and the collectors of the pagan taxes.
- We could remember in this connection the prophets’ warnings against pride, for example Zephaniah. The Lord could easily transfer the privileges of the Chosen People to a foreign race – meanwhile teaching Israel a lesson through a cull of its own boastful elements.
- It is only through the medium of a humble heart that we will be led to appreciate all the benefits which the coming of Jesus brings. We ask him to make us receptive.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- In this parable which Jesus speaks, the tax collectors and prostitutes - those most despised and rejected by society, are ahead of the self-righteous ones. They were the ones who were open to the word of God and to change.
- Lord, you continually invite me to fullness of life. I pray that through Sacred Space my faith in you may grow ever deeper and that it may be expressed by my desire to serve others.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Well, which am I? The smooth but unreliable daddy-pleaser, or the guy who, even with a bad grace, does the job?
- The kingdom of heaven is not promised to the charmers, but to those whose life would make no sense if God did not exist.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus asks us to think whether our words and actions are in agreement. It is easy to talk, to pronounce and to make statements. It is more difficult to give time, effort and attention. I profess my faith not only in Sunday words but also in the time I give to working for the reign of God during the week. Jesus values a few small acts more than many fine words.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus says to me, ‘What do you think?’ Do I take time out to think about where I stand in relation to God? Do I give my soul an opportunity to catch up? I ask the Lord to help me to give time to thinking about the things that really matter.
- Am I like the Jewish leaders who sound good but perform poorly? Or am I like the tax collectors and prostitutes who know their need of God? Can I despise such people?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- I review the statements and declarations I may have made; I ask God to help me abide by them and accept forgiveness for wherever I have fallen short.
- God continually invites me to fullness of life. I do not have to be downhearted by the awareness that I don’t always accept the invitation, but am encouraged by hearing the trust in me that is expressed in the call to serve others.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus speaks this parable to me. I avoid applying it to others right now and simply accept Jesus' warmth as he sees how I have served. I listen for his invitation as he shows me where I hold back.
- To live in the kingdom is to be ready to rub shoulders with all kinds. God's love is given freely and is accepted by many. I pray for a heart that is open to those who are not like me.