The Parable of the Two Sons in Sunday’s Gospel speaks of the people of Jesus’ time: the first son is like the prostitutes and tax collectors who have disobeyed the commandments of the Lord, but upon hearing the teachings of John the Baptist, have repented and reformed their ways. The second son is like the chief priests and elders to whom Jesus addressed His story. In spite of their outward display of holiness, they refused to embrace and believe in John’s teachings. Jesus then reveals to the chiefs and the elders that the prostitutes and the tax collectors will enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus did not mince words. “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” (Mt 21: 31b)
Pondering this parable further, we come to an understanding that the father in this parable is God the Father. We are further enlightened through the second reading by St. Paul who reminds us that Jesus, although he was one with the Father, did not take advantage of this equality. Jesus submitted himself to the will of the Father, humbling himself and becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. He is the summit of humility and obedience. He took upon himself human likeness and appearance so he can demonstrate to mankind full obedience to the Father’s will.
To which of the two sons, then, can we liken ourselves?
Like both sons in the parable, each one of us has been invited by our Father to work in His vineyard. Some of us have outwardly said “No” yet later on and by the Lord’s grace have repented and changed our hearts and our ways. Others have immediately said, “Yes, sir, but did not go.” (Mt 21:30b) When some of us committed and covenanted disciples are invited to serve in God’s vineyard as shepherds, coordinators, praisers, teachers, writers, or sharers, do we readily say “Yes”? Have we always fulfilled our pledges in all ways that we are able? Despite our gifts and our availability to serve in community, do we often decline because of our insecurities or lack of faith or because it is not the kind of service we want?
Central to our understanding as Christians is the belief and hope in the kingdom of God. Our raison d'etre, our reason for being, therefore, is to follow Jesus' way of holiness as exemplified through His humble obedience to the Father’s Will. It behooves us to know and understand His teachings and to live according to His Word. To maintain this discipline on our own has proven to be very difficult. This is why we have a community. We are in community so that we each may build up one another. It is our collective belief that we have the good of each other at heart, and that together, we serve the Lord in calling others to a life of prayer and service to Him. This is the New Evangelization and it starts with us. As St Paul exhorts in his second letter to the Philippians, let us conduct ourselves “by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.” (Phil 2:2)
Let us take to heart tonight’s order, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” (Phil 2:3-4) Come, let us live His Word.
To which of the two sons, then, can we liken ourselves?
Like both sons in the parable, each one of us has been invited by our Father to work in His vineyard. Some of us have outwardly said “No” yet later on and by the Lord’s grace have repented and changed our hearts and our ways. Others have immediately said, “Yes, sir, but did not go.” (Mt 21:30b) When some of us committed and covenanted disciples are invited to serve in God’s vineyard as shepherds, coordinators, praisers, teachers, writers, or sharers, do we readily say “Yes”? Have we always fulfilled our pledges in all ways that we are able? Despite our gifts and our availability to serve in community, do we often decline because of our insecurities or lack of faith or because it is not the kind of service we want?
Central to our understanding as Christians is the belief and hope in the kingdom of God. Our raison d'etre, our reason for being, therefore, is to follow Jesus' way of holiness as exemplified through His humble obedience to the Father’s Will. It behooves us to know and understand His teachings and to live according to His Word. To maintain this discipline on our own has proven to be very difficult. This is why we have a community. We are in community so that we each may build up one another. It is our collective belief that we have the good of each other at heart, and that together, we serve the Lord in calling others to a life of prayer and service to Him. This is the New Evangelization and it starts with us. As St Paul exhorts in his second letter to the Philippians, let us conduct ourselves “by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.” (Phil 2:2)
Let us take to heart tonight’s order, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” (Phil 2:3-4) Come, let us live His Word.