Today's gospel reading hit home:
Jesus said to the chief priests and 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.'
He said in reply, 'I will not, '
but afterwards 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?" (Mt 21:28-32)
I am the son that never truly denied his Father, but, i confess, wasn't up to doing all that He suggested. Angry teen? Distracted youth? Self-involved adult unable to follow the herd without lies, deceit and rage? The paths i chose would lead me to my own peace of mind, or so i thought. However, these alternatives were not something i could wholly buy into; faith and hope and charity remained an unattainable reality.
Until i discovered my own capacity to love and allowing myself to be loved. I nurtured this, because of all the noise around me, this rang true. This verysame vibration of Truth has lead me thus far and i hope closer to the Trinity.
I read a homily on the gospel readings for today and feel encouraged. I'd like to share it:
"The person, of course, who best exemplifies such a self-giving value system is Jesus. His lifestyle was the exact opposite of solipsism [self-worship]. Instead of making himself the norm, Jesus "emptied himself, taking the form of a slave ... He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." That's the attitude - the value system - of Christ Jesus.
The gospel Jesus presumes the conversion to such an outgoing frame of mind doesn't happen instantly, nor does it develop without lots of relapses. That seems to be why he has no problem associating with sinners. They seem to be the one group most willing to change and convert. Like the first son, they think over their original refusal to do the father's will. Jesus holds out hope that they, unlike the "good folk," will eventually convert enough to enter "the kingdom of God:" to experience God working in everything they do."
(Homily 25/09/11)
Or as the Pope in his own homily interprets:
"... agnostics, who are constantly exercised by the question of God, those who long for a pure heart but suffer on account of our sin, are closer to the Kingdom of God than believers whose life of faith is “routine” and who regard the Church merely as an institution, without letting their hearts be touched by faith." (BenedictXVI homily 25/09/11)
While i might not be an agnostic, i have sinned ... and i certainly have been longing for God's grace for a very, very long time.
Deo gratias.
Jesus said to the chief priests and 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.'
He said in reply, 'I will not, '
but afterwards 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?" (Mt 21:28-32)
I am the son that never truly denied his Father, but, i confess, wasn't up to doing all that He suggested. Angry teen? Distracted youth? Self-involved adult unable to follow the herd without lies, deceit and rage? The paths i chose would lead me to my own peace of mind, or so i thought. However, these alternatives were not something i could wholly buy into; faith and hope and charity remained an unattainable reality.
Until i discovered my own capacity to love and allowing myself to be loved. I nurtured this, because of all the noise around me, this rang true. This verysame vibration of Truth has lead me thus far and i hope closer to the Trinity.
I read a homily on the gospel readings for today and feel encouraged. I'd like to share it:
"The person, of course, who best exemplifies such a self-giving value system is Jesus. His lifestyle was the exact opposite of solipsism [self-worship]. Instead of making himself the norm, Jesus "emptied himself, taking the form of a slave ... He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." That's the attitude - the value system - of Christ Jesus.
The gospel Jesus presumes the conversion to such an outgoing frame of mind doesn't happen instantly, nor does it develop without lots of relapses. That seems to be why he has no problem associating with sinners. They seem to be the one group most willing to change and convert. Like the first son, they think over their original refusal to do the father's will. Jesus holds out hope that they, unlike the "good folk," will eventually convert enough to enter "the kingdom of God:" to experience God working in everything they do."
(Homily 25/09/11)
Or as the Pope in his own homily interprets:
"... agnostics, who are constantly exercised by the question of God, those who long for a pure heart but suffer on account of our sin, are closer to the Kingdom of God than believers whose life of faith is “routine” and who regard the Church merely as an institution, without letting their hearts be touched by faith." (BenedictXVI homily 25/09/11)
While i might not be an agnostic, i have sinned ... and i certainly have been longing for God's grace for a very, very long time.
Deo gratias.
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