Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - 3rd Week of Advent - Tues
[Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13 and Matt 21:28-32]Jesus said to the chief priests and the 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, 'I will not, but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?"
DECEMBER 14 ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS, ocd
The chief priests and the elders found themselves accused of squandering the treasure of their heritage. They claimed to be doing God's will but they were not. The tax collectors and "sinners" were unfaithful to their tradition, but when they heard the preaching of John and Jesus, they began changing their minds. The point is about conversion and knowing the need for it.
Parishes around the country will feature penance services in Advent. (Advent and Lent seem to be the "reconciliation rhythm" for many!) But it is the experience of many that the season seems to magnify the usual problems to the extent that all one wants to do is get through the season and into the new year so that the usual problems settle down to their usual level! Reconciliation other than the sacramental kind seems too big to attempt. Forgiveness can be lost. Yet one of the fundamental messages of the Incarnation is "reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5).
In the midst of all the preparation and holiday cheer, one of the challenges of Advent is to see where we need to do "conversion and reconciliation" and reach out in love and forgiveness. Those may be the greatest Christmas gifts of all. AMEN