Reflection for TUESDAY, 3rd Week of Advent.
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar
Today's Gospel Verses
Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Meditation on the Word of God
When we reflect on our daily use of words, we may become aware that we use the word “No” more than we use the word “Yes”.
It simply means that it is easier to say No than say Yes.
When we say No, we close all further discussions with no commitments made and no obligations to fulfill.
Even if we don’t say the word No, our disobedience to authority or defiance to a law is an expression of it.
But of course, the 1st reading tells of the price for disobedience and for the rebellious, and that is trouble.
Yes, trouble always comes with disobedience, and it is a lesson that we somehow have to learn over and over again.
For the tax collectors and the prostitutes in the gospel passage, they have known and paid the price for disobedience, and hence they were ready for repentance.
To say Yes to God means that we want to obey God and be committed to follow His ways and do His will.
To obey God would open ourselves to His blessings and we will have peace in our hearts and joy in our lives.
GOD BLESS YOU
Good morning. Have a nice day.