THROUGH UNTRUE

After a long day of work, a father returned home to find his two teenage sons slouched on the sofa, watching television. Reminding them of their promise to tidy their rooms and complete their homework, he questioned the first son, “Son, what have you accomplished today?” The response he received was disheartening: “Nothing.” Turning to the second son, the father inquired, “And what about you?” The second son glanced at his brother and replied, “I was helping him.” Those two sons have good intentions but hardly lifted a finger to transform these into tangible actions. Jesus likened them to those in hell — “thrown out into the darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.” For, it will hurt like hell when they later realize how many chances for success they have wasted because of laziness, apathy, or procrastination. Nothing is more tragic than squandering an opportunity to achieve something meaningful. In today’s gospel reading, we learn about the vast crowds that gathered to listen to Jesus. Undoubtedly, many of them had heard his captivating stories, teachings, and parables. Some might have even partaken in the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes. However, Jesus understood that most of them had not come because they truly believed in Him. In fact, many did nothing with the knowledge they had acquired and the miracles they had witnessed. Thus, Jesus shared the parable of the sower with them, concluding with a challenge: “Whoever has ears ought to hear” (Matthew 13:23). Let’s face it. Many of us can listen to the proclamation of God’s word while our minds wander elsewhere. How many of us allow the teachings of the gospel to shape our daily lives and guide our decisions? Does our understanding of Christian principles lead us to surrender to God’s will, or do we merely harbor good intentions while the prevailing moral decay of our world dictates our judgments? In the letter of St. James, we are reminded, “Merely listening to the word without acting on it is self-deception. For anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after observing himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Be not forgetful listeners but be doers of good works. Then you will be blessed in what you do. (James 1:22-24).” For St. James, “doing” does not entail a one-time action but rather wholehearted obedience. It implies consistently acting upon what we hear. He implores Christians not merely to “do” but to “Be doers.” If we genuinely value God’s word, we must make a choice: play it safe and prioritize our own convenience and comfort, or dare to allow God to work through us to fulfill His will. The late Pope Benedict XVI, in his book “An Introduction to Christianity,” cautioned against the danger of professing to be Christian while refusing to take God's words seriously. Many contemporary leaders fall into this trap, claiming belief in God but compartmentalizing their faith from their public lives. They engage in corrupt practices, enact legislation contradicting Christian ethics, accept bribes from illegal activities, and endorse movements and ideologies that are contrary to Christian values. It is often said that hell is paved with good intentions. I recall the story of a politician who intended to eradicate poverty and hunger in our country. One of his constituents remarked, “Your intention is commendable, but unfortunately, I cannot eat it.”