16 December 2014— GOSPEL MT 21:28-32

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent

GOSPEL MT 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 in reply, '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?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "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."

Reflection:

Today's Gospel parable is abt a man wt 2 sons who told them to go work in d vineyard. The 1st son refused, bt later obeyed & went. The 2nd son initially expressed obedience, bt actually disobeyed & refused to work in d vineyard.

The son who ultimately did d will of his father was d 1st son bz he eventually obeyed. Jesus compares d 1st son wt tax collectors & prostitutes - outcasts of Jewish society, bz they believed John the Baptist & accepted "the way of righteousness" in spite of their initial disobedience to d Law.

Thru this parable, Jesus wanted to teach d chief priests & d elders that to enter d Kingdom of God, one must repent, believe & do God's will.

God calls us to hear His Word & do His will to repent of our sinful ways & start a new life.

May v always, thru d grace of God, repent, believe & do His will in our lives. Amen.

Jesus loves u. Hv a blessed day wt Jesus. God bless.
Wt love...... Fr Robin Fargose, Powai.