My parents taught me to be honest even if doing so could cause me a hardship. They believed that one is responsible for his or her actions and must be held accountable, especially if it causes a negative result, whether it hurt someone or did not.
Because of this, I take seriously the quote: “Say what you will do and do what you will say.” Jesus’ parable in St. Matthew’s Gospel this Sunday shares a prime example of two sons who say one thing and do another. You would think if they followed through initially, it would seem easy enough, and yet for whatever reason they decided to face resentment and a loss of both credibility and integrity.
Our first reading from the Book of Ezekiel reminds us that God gives us multiple opportunities to turn away from negativity, or sin, and still be saved. The difficulty in doing so seems to rest on what each person perceives is right or wrong, even though God in essence has provided a road map to follow a path to success and everlasting life.
In chapter 2 of St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is one of the most succinct and beautiful reasons Christians must pursue the way of unity in his or her relationship with the Lord and all who were created.
Paul writes: “…though He was in the form of God, Jesus did not regard equality with God, something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself taking the form of a slave coming in human likeness and found human in appearance, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross.” Christ’s humility and obedience ought to guide all Christian living.”
Returning to the Gospel, Jesus’ message is that we are not saved by belonging but by becoming. In our relationship with God actions speak louder than words. God is primarily concerned with our present relationship to Him. As far as the past is concerned, God has a very short memory when it comes to sinfulness if we seek mercy for what we did. In fact, you can say He has none at all
Let us take this week to seek conversion from our sinful ways. Look at humility and obedience as a pathway to become close to God to do the service for which we are called to practice. God, through His love and mercy, forgives us when we err if we are repentant. To seek that, we need to change our ways to be like God’s. Let us take this opportunity to trust in God to say what we will do and do what we will say to further our relationship with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Reading 1: Ezekiel 18: 25-28
Reading 2: Philippians 2: 1-11
Gospel: Matthew 21: 28-32
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