First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28/
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. 6a)
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel Acclamation: Jn. 10:27/Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
Theme: FACTA NON VERBA (ACTION, NOT WORDS)
Not everyone who says to me: Lord! Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in heaven – Matthew 7:21
On campaign platforms, those seeking leadership positions, be it political or social or religious, make a number of promises to the electorates. In relationships too, we make promises to friends and families, employers and employees, traders and customers, governments and civil servants. Sometimes, we are able to fulfil our promises; other times, we change our minds at will. There are people whose second name is Promise-and-Fail. They are quick to promise heaven on earth, however, they do not make good their promises. Even in church, they make pledges; yet, years pass by without doing anything. When we fail to fulfil our promises, we lose our integrity before people as they feel deceived; and they also find it difficult to trust us again! The reason is that, a promise raises the hope of the person(s) to whom it is made; inability to implement it dashes that hope. Consequently, some people have concluded that it is better not to make promises than to promise and fail to fulfil it. Today, our readings encourage us to be trustworthy, genuine, sincere, and faithful by matching our words with our actions. We are expected to change for the better.
The subject of change and permanence has been an age-old debate since the dawn of ancient Greek philosophy. While Heraclitus reasoned that everything is in a constant state of change or flux, Parmenides maintained that nothing is in a state of change, that is, everything is permanent. Nonetheless, as social beings, we are all witnesses of the fact that, it is possible for the wicked to change for the better while the righteous, for the worse! In this regard, in today’s first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel emphasizes the point that change is a constant reality. Particularly, he states: “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die for it; for the iniquity which he has committed he shall die. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions which he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die” (Ez. 18:26-28). This suggests that there arerewards and punishments for positive and negative change respectively.
Furthermore, the topic of change resurfaces in the Gospel, where Jesus tells us about the parable of the two sons. A father tells his first son to go and work in his vineyard, a request he refuses to obey initially. In spite of this, upon a second thought, he goes to do his father’s bidding. Unlike the first, the second son, who initially agrees to work in the vineyard, does not fulfil his promise in the end (cf. Mt. 21:30). He changes his mind, and by his action, makes his words just empty talk! Sometimes, we too do not commit ourselves to what we say we will do and what we believe
to be right! This is the thrust of Jesus’ counsel as he speaks to the situation of the chief priests and the elders of the people (Jewish authority). These leaders consider themselves as the only holy people who do God’s will; but in practice, they do their own will. Like the second son in the Gospel, they accept and identify with God (the father in the parable) through their words and socio-religious position. Nevertheless, their actions portray otherwise and thus, betray them. On the other hand, those whom these leaders regard as sinners and candidates of hell (tax collectors and harlots) have a change of mind and consequently, repent of their sins, to abide by God’s commandment of love. Like the first son, these ‘sinners’ enter into the ‘vineyard’ of God’s will.
Furthermore, we realise in the Gospel, that, both the first and second sons, representing the tax collectors and prostitutes, and the Jewish leaders respectively, are imperfect. This is because, none obeys the father perfectly. It is for this reason St. Paul sets before us in the second reading, the perfect obedience and satisfactory example of Jesus Christ as a standard model for us. It is possible for human beings to change from good to bad or from bad to good. However, by imitating Christ in his way of thinking and manner of behaviour, our beliefs and practices will intersect and match. This should be the hallmark of every Christian. Marked by singleness of purpose and resolute mind, Christ chooses humility and obedience as means of positive change, that is, by becoming human. He empties himself, suffers and dies a shameful and painful death on the cross for our salvation. His action is rewarded such that, “…There is no other name by which we are to be saved except the name of Jesus”(Acts 4:12). At the mention of his name, every knee bows inheaven and on earth and under the earth (i.e. the whole universe), and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord (cf. Phil.2:7-11). Surely, we can and must imitate Christ!
In our world today, many Christians are fond of talking the Kingdom talk rather than walking the Kingdom walk. This makes the saying “It is easier said than done” very true! Christianity has become a sort of an occasional garment we put on for specific events, after which we remove it to don another cloth. Such duplicity of manner of living cannot and will not lead us to heaven. It was a pathetic spectacle to watch when at the burial Mass of their father, the children showcased their disunity and bad-blood by having two different brochures each belonging to the two camps. Each group was clad in different cloth and sat separately leaving their widowed and blind mother in a state of misery and pity. Even at the graveside, the presence of the police wielding guns announced to the whole world the animosity between them. Meanwhile, at the Mass, all joined in praying the Our Father: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We are obliged to imitate Christ through humble obedience and sincere desire to change for the better. We have reached a point of no return in our Christian journey. It should be said of us, “Itis easier done than said.”We need back our integrity! We should allow our actions to do thetalking, for actions, they say, “speak louder than words.” We are to be the sheep of Jesus, who listen to his voice and follow him (cf. Jn. 10:27). Dearly Beloved, to do God’s will does not mean performing religious rituals, but following the commandment of love. With the Psalmist, let us cry out to God to make us know his ways, to teach us his paths and to guide us in his truth (cf. Ps. 25:4-5). Happy Sunday and may God bless us! Remember: # Actions-Not-Words#
By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp
