Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you.”

Gospel Reading: 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.”

Today’s Gospel reading is all about complacency.  It is about our spiritual slothfulness.  You say that you are a good Christian, but do your actions mimic your words.  How do you respond to Christ’s question?  Which son do you image. Are you reluctant to answer his call or have you said yes only to ignore his commandments?  It is easy to say yes, but it is much more difficult to act on your yes.  When we go to church and sit in the pews, it is easy to say “I will follow you.”  But once we get up and leave, do our actions continue our words we recited in church.  We are currently in a season of waiting.  We are waiting for the second coming of Christ.  In our time of waiting, we should kneel and pray asking God to come alive within us.  We should reflect on our yes and make sure that we are not slothful.  We need to reflect on our faith and our charity.  Do we feel for the poor, yet hoard your own goods?  Do you see the homeless, yet turn your back on them when we walk by them?  We are called to live the Gospels daily, in our actions and our words.  Our actions will speak much loader than our words.

A Simple Prayer

God, awaken in me.

Come alive in me so that I can go forth and live the Gospels.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon