26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 25, 2011: Love and Obedience

Click Here for the Mass Readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A):

"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." (Mt 21:28-29)

It's late Saturday night on the east coast (late for me), but instead of allowing another week to slip by without posting a reflection, I thought I'd at least share two short thoughts on this week's Gospel.

The parable of the two sons who are told by their father to go work in the vineyard highlights very vividly the type of obedience God desires from man: Words are not enough; action is required.  Like the first son, we may have our own ideas/plans and we're simply not open to hearing anything contrary to our wants/opinions/dreams or whatever - not even if it comes from God.  Or, like the second son, we may begin with a strong "yes" to God in word or intention and feel that's sufficient.  Clearly neither of these two scenarios could be considered "doing the will of God".  But the parable gives us hope.  The first son is an image of the tax collectors and prostitutes of Jesus' day (those considered to be "the scum of the earth").  These are the ones who said "no" to God by living contrary to His law, but had a real change of heart and life after listening to John the Baptist (a credible witness).  I think this is an important point for two reasons: Even if someone considers himself/herself to be ranked among the scum of the earth because of personal sinfulness, we see that God never gives up on anyone and that all have the possibility of being made new in Christ.  Secondly, we see the need for credible witnesses - those who not only do the will of God in their lives, but reach out to others and invite them to Christ.

The second thought I had about this Sunday's Gospel is that Jesus underscores the type of obedience we owe to God within the context of a parable about a father and two sons.  In other words, a familial bond of love establishes the context in which obedience is demanded!  I think this is the key to everything.  Christianity remains nothing more than a religion of rules if God has not loved us first.  Our obedience to God is meant to be given as a free response to God's initiative, to His goodness and love.  This doesn't mean that obedience will be easy, but it does mean that the true strength to die to ourselves and follow God's will can only originate in "the love of God that has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Rom 5:5).  May the Lord transform us with the fire of His divine love and increase the generosity and quality of our obedience to Him.  God bless you!

(Photo of the "Agape" courtesy of Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.)