“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.” – Mt. 21:32
God’s Word can challenge and console
at the same time. Today’s Gospel brings bad
news before the good. Jesus’ parable about the two sons
unmasks our tendencies as believers to preach more than we practice. We say and
promise trust and surrender, yet our actions show otherwise.
There is someone close to me who
brings about allergies in me. Whenever he speaks with a certain tone or acts in
a particular way, I get annoyed and judgmental. It’s like an inconvenient bomb
goes off within me. He has little idea. But I find myself impatient,
mostly with myself. I can easily give in to the temptation to withdraw. Deep
down I know it’s an invitation to be transformed, healed, or freed. Yet, I feel
a resistance and hardening of heart.
Advent prepares us for metanoia, which literally means “beyond
mind”
(metá-noos). It involves a shift in mindset, a
different way of seeing that triggers a conversion of heart in the way we
relate to God, others, and self. A radical change takes place, like those who
we consider tax collectors and prostitutes entering God’s kingdom before us –
those who profess to believe.
It’s a wake-up call to recognize that
my mind and heart are much smaller than I admit. Yet, when I take a step back,
I see hope. If such life-giving transformations can take place in others, it
can happen to me. It’s sobering to know that I fall short; it’s also freeing to
realize that I do not have to “make it happen.” I can ask for help, humbly
accept the “bad” news. Slowly, slowly, God’s totally free gift of grace will
bring about Good News and good changes.
LORD, enable me to truly ask for help and patiently wait for
your “slow” work in me.
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