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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider John came to you in the way of righteousness

John came to you in the way of righteousness

Published Dec 13, 2022 12:05 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Reflections today

Today’s Gospel tells of the parable of the Two Sons. The first son says “No” to his father who requests him to work in the vineyard. Later, however, he changes his mind and goes. The second son says “Yes,” but does not go. He says, “Yes, sir!” (kyrie, lord), but does not do the will of his father. Jesus tells this parable to challenge the chief priests and elders to conversion. They do not believe in John the Baptist who came to them in the way of righteousness. The ones who believe in John are the tax collectors and prostitutes who are open to change their ways. Doing God’s will involves, first and foremost, recognizing our need to enter into the spirit of conversion. How are we going to enter into the spirit of conversion during this Advent season? How ready are we to discern and do God’s will? How open are we to change the things in us that do not conform to the will of God?

FIRST READING • Zep 3:1-2, 9-13

Thus says the Lord: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; in the Lord she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near. For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one accord; from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings. On that day you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; for then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

Gospel • Matthew 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.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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