Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 21: Year A
“Which of the two did the will of the father? (Matthew 21:31).
As we open and unpack our Gospel reading we see the difference between the supposed prophets of God who are supposed to proclaim God’s love for God’s people. And, we see this new-comer John the Baptist proclaiming a Baptism of repentance. The question quickly becomes the Baptism itself: was it from God or John himself? If John is actually doing the work of God then what were the chief priests and the elders of the people doing? They said they were doing the Lord’s work, but were they? Thus, we have the parable of the two sons.
As I ponder about these two sons I try to be as objective as I can, even in spite of the heavy influence by the evangelist. Matthew says the first son, changed his mind and did the work he said he would not do. For the second son the evangelist implies that he just lied about his intentions and never really intended to do the work in the first place.
As baptism is about repentance, which is change, perhaps we should look more closely at the son who changed his mind and did the work the Father requested. Hidden in this parable of Jesus is a lesson for the chief priests and the elders of the people to, change their minds, and begin doing the work they were called to do instead of fearing their own governing body by not listening to, and following John the Baptist. By their own admission they knew that the people saw John as a prophet of God.
The bottom line here, no matter which way we look at it, is, “Which of the two actually did the will of the father?” I have a quote from Mark Twain where he says “Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.” I really do believe we speak more accurately with our actions.
So which son did the will of the Father? The one who changed his mind. Let us not be so determined in our own way that we refuse to see the Way and Will, of God, and our own misdirection right in front of us. Let us ponder about our own words and then fulfill them with our actions.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: Proper 21, The Sunday closest to September 28 (BCP p. 234)
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
