Sunday Series: September 28, 2014

I begin today with a simple question. Who are we?

Jesus said to the chief priests and 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.'
He said in reply, 'I will not, '
but afterwards 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."

Here in the Gospel from today Christ poses a very familiar question if we have been paying attention the last few weeks. Who are we? Which son are we? The first son says he will not do his father's will but then does anyway. The second son says he will do his father's will but then doesn't. In the end, one son is penitent and the other treacherous. The pharisees and elders of the Jewish community knew that Jesus was calling them out, as he often did. They were known for their legalistic approach to the faith. They knew all the prayers and they stuck to the letter of the law, but there was nothing in their hearts. It is said that the holiest of men are the ones most aware of their sinfulness. The pharisees and elders were not aware of the great sin in their lives: pride. They thought they were better than everyone else because of status and education, but we all struggle with sin making us all guilty. No man is better than his neighbor. Once again, Which son are we?

Thus says the LORD:
You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed,
he does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.


How wondrous is the love of God that he would be merciful to we lowly sinners. It is in our sin that we die, but in God's mercy we live. Ask and you shall receive. That is all the Lord requires of us. If we genuinely turn to him and leave behind our sinful ways we shall be forgiven. God is our Father, and he loves his Children. He wants us to live in his mercy and grace, mercy and grace that will help to cease being sinners and become saints.