Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 - 3rd Week of Advent - Tues
[Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13 and Matt 21:28-32]"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." [Matthew]
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2016 ST. LUCY virgin and martyr
Jesus is addressing "the chief priests and elders of the people" in his parable about the man with two sons, one of whom says "yes" but does nothing, the other who says "no" but changes his mind and obeys his father. It is the latter son whom Jesus commends. Why? Because the second son repents. The first son represents the hypocrisy of the religious leadership that Jesus consistently attacked. They claimed to say "yes" but really did nothing to justify their prominence and some of them manipulated the "system" of laws and politics to their own benefit while enforcing rules on others. In short, they saw no need to "repent" when they heard of John the Baptist because they considered themselves "the better sort of people." The "tax collectors and prostitutes" knew of their need for repentance and accepted the message of John the Baptist (and of Jesus as well). One may be sure that the chief priests and elders were not amused by Jesus' declaration that they were less fortunate than tax collectors and prostitutes. They took part in the plot to get rid of him.
The Advent season is a time to hear that appeal for repentance, for a change of mind and heart. Without realizing it, we may in many ways be saying "yes" to matters of faith and morals but doing nothing to implement a change, to repent. It might be a good thing to talk to that second son and ask him why he changed his mind? Isn't the "Kingdom of heaven" worth that change? AMEN
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