Welcoming the Holy

Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

Opening Prayer

Creator God, You show Your almighty power in mercy and forgiveness. Continue to fill us with Your gifts of love, as we come to share in the joys of Your Kingdom through Jesus, Your Son. Amen.

Scripture

Matthew 21: 28 – 31

Jesus said to the chief priests and 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 afterward changed his mind and went.

The man came to the other son and gave the same order. The second son 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

Words can be meaningless. Promises can be empty. The message of today’s Gospel Parable tells us actions speak louder than words.

Jesus has entered Jerusalem on His final journey to Calvery. He has overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple and the chief priest and elders of the people want to know by whose authority does He do this.

Jesus answers their question with the Parable of the Two Sons. Then He asks them which son did the will of their father.

The religious leaders answer correctly but this convicts them of their failure to heed the call of John, the Baptist, to repentance and their failure to recognize the Kingdom of God present in Jesus.

The tax collectors and prostitutes, the people rejected by society at the time, were more open to Jesus and His message. They accepted the teaching of John and were following Jesus, acting on His word.

Because of this, says Jesus, they were destined for the Kingdom of God ahead of the priests and elders who believed they were entitled because of their position in society.

And what of us ?

By our Baptism, our membership in the Church, we have said, “Yes” to God. Jesus asks us today, to think about if we are followers in deed as well as in word? It is easy to talk, to make statements, to make promises. It is more difficult to give time, effort and attention. Jesus values small acts of kindness and service more than many fine words.

Which son am I ?

Closing Prayer

Merciful God, You invite us to fullness of life. May our faith in You grow ever deeper as it is expressed in our desire to serve others through Jesus, Your Son. Amen