Zephariah 3:1-2, 9-13
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
Matthew 21:28-32
Meditation on Sacred Scripture helps us to see the consequences of human behavior without the gloss of popular psychology, which offers us all kinds of excuses. What is more, Holy Scripture allows us to see that with God there is a chance to make reparation, to make up for the wrong we have done. True, we might have lost precious opportunities in the realm of temporal things by our faulty decisions, but as long as we have a beating heart we have the wonderful opportunity to humbly and contritely, atone to God, for our transgressions. In return not only are we forgiven, but God offers us, as no human relationships can, the chance to turn even bad choices into an opportunity for good.
God knows the children who love him. It’s not the ones who say “Yes, Yes” and never enter the vineyard, as in the Gospel reading. It’s those who, despite their protestations, do his will.
This gift of God's grace is evident in the themes of this beautiful season of expectation. May we be blessed to access God's mercy in this Season of Light.
Anyone who ever wonders if God understands our human nature should ponder these readings today. We hear about listening, drawing near, acceptance, trust, seeing, changing our minds, and the cry of the poor. Our God made us, truly understands us, and was willing to become man to draw us close to Himself.
The first reading warns a people who had become hard-hearted, that their failure to listen, to draw near to God would result in a time of purification. The remnant would be a people who were humble and lowly, people who would turn their hearts towards God. The psalm is like a theme song to remind us that God hears the cry of the poor, a humble reminder.
It is of interest in the Gospel that Christ directs His questions not to the common folks, who would be the learners, but rather to the chief priests and elders, who would be recognized as the learned ones, about the ways of God. Any of us can succumb to pride, or indifference about our relationship towards God, and get caught up in the seemingly important roles of our various states in life. We can be guilty of placing God on the sidelines of our life. We will pray if we have time, if it is convenient. It is a blessing for us that God is also a patient God, but for how long? The liturgical season of Advent is a good time to ponder these readings, so lovingly placed before us by mother Church.
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