Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25:4-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32
In the gospel, the first son replied to his father, “I will not,” afterwards changed his mind and did his father’s will. But the second son replied, “Yes, sir,” but did not do his father’s will. Jesus used the parable to address the chief priests and the elders who refused to accept him as the savior sent by God. The second son represents them. While the first son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes who repented and believed in Jesus. The gospel helps us to understand the first reading. The Jewish leaders were the virtuous persons who turned away from virtue to commit iniquity, while the tax collectors and prostitutes were the wicked who turned away from wickedness.
The readings invite us to examine the way and manner we live
out our callings and responsibilities. We make all kinds of commitments,
promises, oaths, vows, covenants, and agreements when we accept our various
callings and responsibilities. Many times, we fall short of them. All the great
speeches and colorful ceremonies eventually mean little or nothing. In this
way, we are like the second son.
St. Paul advises us in the second reading that to be true to
our callings and responsibilities, we are to have in us the same attitude that
is in Jesus Christ who did nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory.
Rather, he emptied and humbled himself and was obedient to God to the point of
death on a cross.
We can name from the readings three vices which make us fall
short of our callings and responsibilities. The vices are pride, selfishness,
and disobedience. These vices have resulted to the downfall of many
people. Therefore, in order to preserve our lives, our callings, and our
responsibilities, we are to keep away from these vices.
Because of Christ’s humility, obedience, and selflessness,
“God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every
name…” Therefore, if we embrace these virtues (humility, obedience, and
selflessness), God will also raise us to greater heights.
The first reading says, “When someone virtuous turns away
from virtue to commit iniquity and dies, it is because of the iniquity he
committed that he must die.” There are many instances of people who start very
well, then veer off to bad ways, and end up badly. We see this happen in all
aspects of life. Revelation 2:4-5 summons us, “I hold this against you: you
have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent,
and do the works you did at first.”
The first son replied, ‘“I will not,’ but afterwards, he
changed his mind and went.” This son teaches us to reflect over our decisions
and actions. We are encouraged to admit our errors, take necessary corrections,
and make necessary changes. The virtues of humility, obedience, and
selflessness enable us to take corrections and make changes with less stress.
The vices of pride, selfishness, and disobedience keep us blind to truth.
Disobedience drains more energy, time, emotional stamina, and stress than simply
following instructions or guidance.
The second son replied, ‘“Yes, Sir,’ but did not go.” Failed
commitments, broken promises, broken oaths, broken vows, broken covenants, and
broken agreements have left us with a broken world, broken countries, a wounded
Church, broken institutions, broken communities, broken homes, broken
marriages, broken relationships, broken friendships, and broken hearts. These
failures and brokenness cause much pain and distress to many people and the
death of many people. We pray for conversion and healing.
Yes, all of us have fallen short in our callings and
responsibilities in one way or another. We pray for the grace of humility,
obedience, and selflessness. We pray with today’s Psalm, “Your ways, O Lord
make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for
you are God my savior. … Good and upright is the Lord; thus, he shows sinners
the way” (Psalm 25:4-5, 8).
Yes, all of us are broken in one way or another. We dwell in
broken places. We have to deal with broken people and broken situations all the
time. We live in a broken society and in a broken world. Our imperfections and
afflictions are our brokenness. Sadly, some people seek vanities to fix their
brokenness. Some people seek solutions from unholy spiritual forces. Vanities
and unholy spiritual forces lead to addictions, bondage, and destruction.
Scripture says, “Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” (Ecclesiastes
1:2). “Those who trust in their riches will fall” (Proverbs 11:28). “They
multiply their sorrows who seek other gods” (Psalm 16:4). “Better the threshold
of the house of my God than a home in the [palace of the devil]” (Psalm 84:11).
We are invited to bring our falls and brokenness to God for
all the graces we need. He is the only One who puts us together again and
sustains us. He heals brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
Amen.
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