Reflection on Today’s Gospel – Mt 21:28-32
This is another passage that shows us that even when we believe that we are close to God, in the end it may turn out to be completely different. Let us follow the words of Scripture and consider them deeply. Let us be humble and try to find out the truth. Well, these two sons are two different attitudes towards God and His commandments, His calling to love. Attitudes that are within us. They are often intertwining. However, it is important that the attitude of obedience to God's will ultimately prevails. The first of the sons, at his father's request, replied, "I'm coming, sir." Unfortunately, he did not go and did not fulfill his father's wishes. The other, at first, replied, “I don't want to. But later he came to his senses and went. "
The Lord Jesus has shown us many times that a false sense of sinlessness arises in us differently than conversion from sin. It begins with the fact that a person sincerely wants to obey God, but it does not occur to him that obedience to God is achieved through concrete behavior in daily life. Someone tells God: "I want to work, God, in your vineyard" - and he is very pleased with himself and it never occurs to him that such a declaration requires a follow-up.
After all, one becomes God's friend not through declarations, but through truly devoting one's heart to God. Out of two sinners - Jesus tells us today - the one who is aware of his sin has a better chance of finding God. Because it is easier for such people to turn from their sin and start living God's way.
These two attitudes - a false sense of one's own sinlessness and a break with one's own sin in order to return to God - are contrasted many times in the pages of the Gospels. They are represented by the two sons in the parable of the prodigal son. The Lord Jesus contrasted these two attitudes in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple. This attitude also reveals the scene of adulteress caught in sin and in a crowd of supposedly righteous who wanted to condemn her. In short, what is fatal for our spiritual situation is a false sense of sinlessness. And blessed is that sinner who has been converted by God's grace.
Note also that the father in today's parable sends his sons to work in the vineyard. The vineyard symbolizes the Church, and working in the vineyard is all genuine contribution to the spiritual good of others. Well, in the Church we constantly say that no one will come to salvation alone. By helping others on their spiritual path, we also draw closer to God.
One more thought
We say hell is paved with good intentions. The fact that we want to follow Jesus is still not enough. We have to keep making the effort. To start anew our journey with Jesus. To regret any infidelity.
The heaven is paved with daily efforts. The one who said, "I'm coming, sir" - but did not go, only had good intentions. The other said, "I don't want to go," but he came to his senses and went.
Do we not wonder that it was the "disobedient" person who did God's will? How often do we, brought up in holy faith, say: "I believe in God", "I am a believer", "I am going to church". Sometimes we look down on non-believers because they cannot say, "We believe," even declare that they do not want to believe. Meanwhile, over the years, helped by God's grace, through their own efforts of searching, they go to God and may be even closer to Him than we are.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george