Dec 16 2008
We Change to the Right Path–Tuesday 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.”
Haven’t we all set out to do one thing then reconsidered and, in the end, chosen a better path? God allows us to work things out in our own way, through the process of thinking, consideration, listening to our conscience. We are often the “first son” saying we will not go, then reconsidering. Then other times we are the “second son”, saying we will go, then straying from the straight path and not keeping our word.
We have been given all that is needed to make the right choice. We have the grace of the Holy Word, the Grace of the Lord walking among us, the Grace of Baptism and the other Sacraments. the Presence of the Holy Spirit among us. Forming of our conscience, then, becomes one of the most important tasks we work toward in our life.
Forming of our conscience is an ongoing process changing as we mature and age. but until the moment of our death, we must strive to say yes to the Lord and do as we have promised. We must avoid being the person who says yes to the Lord on Sundays or when in crisis, then too easily straying from the path. And remember, obedience is a virtue.
Peace be with you,
Ann
