Read Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 34, Matthew 21:28-32
’Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.’” (Matthew 21:31).
The saying that “talk is cheap” is what characterizes the story in our Gospel passage today. When we come to church, it is very easy for us to say “Yes” or “I do” to God but when we get home when words are no longer necessary, then we discover who we really are.
According to Jesus, a man had two sons, and he asked one to work in his field but the young man bluntly refused but later on, he thought about it and went but the second did not hesitate at all, only to refuse to go for the work eventually.
Do not serve God only with your lips, do not serve God only in public, let your worship begin from the inner recesses of your heart. Let your actions even in secret profess your faith and not just your words. As James said, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:18).
Dear friends, when it comes to serving God, procrastination is dangerous. Whatever God has put in your heart to do, begin immediately. Never keep until tomorrow, do that which you can do today because tomorrow does not belong to you.
In the final analysis, it is not our past that counts before God. If as Jesus noted, tax collectors and harlots were making their way into the kingdom of God before the chief priests, it means that your case is not yet hopeless!
The moment we decide to change our ways, God completely forgets our past. This works vice versa, meaning if we stop being righteous and change from our good ways, God also forgets our past and treats us like sinners.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may my life be worthy of the name I bear as a Christian. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor (Memorial). Bible Study: Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 34, Matthew 21:28-32).