Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
Whether it’s part of a printed piece or an electronic one, we all know the contrast offered by those “before and after” ads. Non-users of the product always look glum or dejected. But users? Ah, they look so happy and bright, smiling at us with the joy that the given product brought into their lives. As we ponder a purchase, we consider that we, too, deserve to be smiling and happy.
Today we are given a parable in the Gospel passage, namely the “Parable of the Two Sons.” Granted, it’s not as familiar to us as parables like the “Prodigal Son” or the “Good Samaritan,” but it has its distinct teaching purpose. That is, the different reactions of two groups of people to the teaching of John the Baptist. Remember that John, Our Lord’s cousin, had the task of preparing the world for Christ’s coming through repentance. It reminded me of those reactions in “before and after” ads.
There is a non-smiling group, namely Israel’s leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees, who simply do not accept what John is saying. Their faces are sad and their mood is cynical. The smiling group, on the other hand, is made up of those who accept what John is saying. They are happy hearing about a way out from under their sinful condition.
Raising the stakes quite a bit, we hear the ultra-important teaching of Our Lord Himself about all this. He proposes an outlook on our part that includes, first of all, the admission of our sins and then trust in Him. Do we believe in Jesus’ approach? Or do we agree with the notion that, generally, I’m doing OK in the sin department and I have very little to repent?
Here I can imagine a cartoon depiction of a sad-faced sinner outside the confessional before going in. In the next scene, he or she is smiling and happy, exiting the confessional fully prepared for a halo. Saying this, I do not mean to cheapen what God does for our lives when we repent. My experience tells me that most sinful habits involve a kind of wrestling match between our resolve and temptation. Yet I, and we, must always remember that even the striving to improve means we want to love Jesus even more than we have. That’s our ultimate relationship.
The Church asks us to pray this weekend for migrants and refugees. Normally an easy task. But today these people have become controversial. From our comfortable perches as approved good citizens, we must not look down on these brothers and sisters. Their anxious faces reflect uncertainty. The “before” look of fear. May our own outlook and our prayers for them bring to their faces the “after” look of acceptance, hope, and love. After all, that’s what God gives all of us each day as we migrate, with hope and determination, to reach our common heavenly home.
“Not all the teeth put into our laws are wisdom teeth.” — Anon.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Ezekiel 18:25-28
The prophet teaches that each person is punished for his sins, and not for the sins of his ancestors. So never fear if you go astray.
Reading II: Philippians 2:1-11, or 2:1-5
Paul appeals to his readers to have a common outlook on matters of behavior. We then come to what may have been a hymn in which Christ humbly accepts crucifixion. He thus has a name above all others.
The Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
The Parable of the Two Sons has to do with opposing reactions to John the Baptist’s preaching. One son (or group) repents after hearing him. Another son (Israel’s leaders) refuses to take John’s message to heart. Those who accept the message are doing the Father’s will.