Pastor's Letter 20200927 - 27 September 2020 - Responsibility

[Father Michael]

September 27^th, 2020

 26^th Sunday, Ordinary Time

 Today’s Theme:  “Responsibility”

Parable of the Two Sons

A Message from Father ^†Michael

 Scripture Note

Today’s Gospel Selection from Matthew, (Chapter 21,) follows events of Jesus’ final week as He triumphantly came into the city (Vs. 1-11;) entered the Temple, dispatching the money lenders (Vs.12-13;) healed the blind and the lame (Vs.14;) went forth in to Bethsaida, where, along the way, He cursed a barren fig tree (Vs.19;)  commented on the dichotomy of people with varying degrees of faith (Vs.21-22;) and the source of the authority given to John the Baptist (Vs 24-27.)  This brings us to the Parable of the Two Sons (Vs 28-32.) 

The purpose of this parable, addressed to the chief priests and elders of the people, was to defend Jesus’ invitation of sinners and outcasts to the Kingdom, in the face of sneers of the religious establishment.  In doing so, Jesus outraged the religious people, when He related the value of a person’s “word” as to their responsibility for performance of living righteously, to their their actual behavior.  This is not to suggest, in the Grand Scheme, that Jesus was a sinner.   However,  in the parable He compares Himself, in the person of the first son, as One Who finally accepts the will of the Father that He suffer and die on the cross  (after His reluctance to do so, shown when He first prayed for relief from the duty) with people who profess their tacit faith, but fail to live up to it.   In this He exhibits His humanity, broadly representing people eventually who repent of their sins.  Similarly, the faithless who eventually accepted the call to repentance as given by John—prostitutes and tax collectors—prove themselves to be more worthy of salvation than the indignant High Priests and Pharisees.  Repentance is necessary for entry into the Kingdom.  This theme of sin and repentance is also dealt with in our First Reading (Ezekiel 18:25-28.)

Following on the heels of last week’s lesson, wherein we learned that God’s generosity always awaits the repentant sinner, regardless of when they come to accept the faith, we see “mirrors” of ourselves in these analogies, at various stages of our own faith journeys.  A favorite theme of Matthew is the split in the behavior of religious persons between their “saying” and “doing.”  As such, it is relevant for believers of every age.

Giving One’s “Word”

There are those who believe that our “word” is the only thing we have to give.  But it’s easy to give our word—it doesn’t cost anything there, and then; rather, the cost comes later, if and when we honor it.

Some people are very "generous" with their word, promising the “sun, moon and stars.”  But you can’t rely upon them because they don’t really “mean it.”  Their word is worthless; their promises dissolve like salt in water.  It’s painful, in fact, to deal with such persons.  Further, it's a safe bet that no one among us hasn't experienced the pain of being “let down” by someone who has failed to keep their word. 

But others among us are "slow" to give their word—who don’t make promises easily.  When they do, however, you can rely on them to honor them.  Their promises are like a “chain around their neck.”  How lovely it is to deal with such people!

We can learn much from Jesus’ Gospel story, today.  We call ourselves “Christians,” but outsiders sometimes accuse us of being “hypocrites” because our lives do not bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips.  Sin doesn’t necessarily imply doing something “wrong.”  The greatest sin may well be that of not doing something “good.”  This is the sin of “inactivity,” or of doing nothing, when situations call for action. 

If we fail to live up to our commitments, but then, later, decide to honor them, that change of mind that isn’t always a fault or a weakness.  It takes humility to admit one’s mistake and courage to put it right. 

The parable teaches us that promises can never take the place of performance, and fine words can never be a substitute for fine deeds.  Faithfulness is one of the greatest and most necessary qualities in life.  It can be costly, however, and it's not an easy “road.”  Being faithful demands unselfishness and a spirit of sacrifice.  But even here on earth it brings great rewards in terms of growth, serenity and joy.  There are no such rewards for those who are unfaithful—at the end of the day, no happiness awaits those who give their word but fail to honor it. 

It is said that a person is as “good as their word.” If that is so, then we must ask ourselves: “How good is my word?”  A person who makes a vow or a promise makes an "appointment" with themselves at some distant time or place.    

Personal Responsibility

There is a tendency today to take responsibility away from the individual.  The whole thrust of modern psychoanalysis sometimes seems to be focusing blame on causes outside oneself—on the environment, our parents, our companions, and so on. 

Of course, our attitudes are influenced by our culture and surroundings.  Still, there must come a time when we stop blaming others and accept responsibility for our actions.  We have to say, like Harry Truman, “The Buck Stops Here!”  Our sins and our failings are “our own,” and no one else will have to answer for our them before God.  It’s refreshing to hear someone say, “I am to blame.  I am responsible.”  But how seldom we hear that….

Unless we accept responsibility for our sins and offenses, we will feel no need to repent for them.  Nor will we be likely to do anything about them.  But as we become more self-aware and accept our culpability, we will understand the concept of God’s mercy and forgiveness.  In doing so, we will also realize the freedom of clear conscience. 

This is not to say that we will always be able to live up to our commitments.   It’s easy to say “yes” in the “morning of life,” when we don’t really know what is involved in the task to which we might commit ourselves.  But as the “day of life” wears on, the gravity of our acquiescence is revealed to us, and then we may have “second thoughts.”  We may entertain certain doubts.  That’s when our “yes” becomes a “no.”  It we want our promises to be fulfilled, we have to persevere in saying “yes.” 

But we know, as human beings, we are fallible, frail creatures.  We may say “no” to something or someone at the outset, only to see things differently later.  These are times that we make mistakes in spite of our best efforts.  When we realize our error, and change our minds, it can lead to a complete revision of our lives.  A person may make a great mistake and later redeem themselves, atoning for it by making the rest of their life a lovely thing.  A change of heart is a conversion at the deepest possible level.  Whereas a change of mind is commonly provoked by fear or self-interest, a change of heart is brought about by love. 

All of us are called to conversion, because it is a necessary disposition for entry to the Kingdom.  But the conversion which, above all, Jesus sought to bring about in people was a change of heart.  And He succeeded in this effort in the most unlikely of people—sinners who heed His call, changing their lives and making their way to salvation.  By refusing to listen to Him, many so-called religious people excluded themselves from His grace. 

We read that many of the greatest saints in history were sinners who initially said “no” to God, but later changed their minds and said “yes.”  St. Augustine is, perhaps, the most obvious example.  His early youth was spent living wantonly and at one time he espoused an actual heresy, called Manicheanism (a philosophy that denied the omnipotence of God over evil.)  Upon his repentance, Augustine became one of the most influential of the Doctors of The Church. (His "City of God" stands even today as a monumental work of faith.)  And there are many others, whose stories prove that one can completely change their lives and become revered for the holiness of their lives.  Our faith teaches us that each person will be judged, not by a single act or “stage” of their lives, but their entire life.  We have the freedom to say “no” to God, if we choose.  Our “yes” wouldn’t have much value if we didn’t have that.  However, we may say “yes” to God with words, and “no” to Him with our deeds.  We might profess to believe, but fail to translate our belief into active obedience.  This is the great danger of complacence in the position taken by those who profess "Once saved, always saved."   Words alone are no substitute for deeds. Throughout our lives we must constantly examine ourselves, and strive to turn our promises into fulfillment.

We all need the Lord to touch our hearts with love and compassion.  And this happens when we meditate, prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit within us to develop our best selves.   At the core, people are essentially good.  Through the Spirit, we will find that goodness, with which we will be awakened and called forth into light.

  May God Richly Bless You!

 

“We cannot have both ways: If we are free, then we are responsible;  If we are not responsible, then we are not free.”  ~~Fulton J Sheen~~

To listen to a live stream of today's Liturgy of the Word, click here:  https://youtu.be/jg9tFNFUn48

 

What Does the Lord Require.docx

What Does the Lord Require.mp3

 

Edited September 27, 2020 by Father Michael