Heaven Is For Sinners Who Believe

𝐃𝐄𝐂. 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈: 𝐙𝐞𝐩 𝟑:𝟏-𝟐, 𝟗-𝟏𝟑

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦: 𝐏𝐬𝐚 𝟑𝟒: 𝟐-𝟑, 𝟔-𝟕, 𝟏𝟕-𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟑 “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫.”

𝐆𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋: 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓 𝟐𝟏:𝟐𝟖-𝟑𝟐

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞: ““𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐈 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐱 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮.” (𝐯.𝟑𝟏) 

        You may not notice it, or you could probably be in denial, but there are two personalities that exist within us. One is the good-natured and obedient self and the other is the sometimes stubborn, insensitive, hard-nosed, shrewd person.

         Which of these two personalities would manifest depend on the circumstances on any given day. I am pretty sure you have noticed that too when we can be patient, loving and forgiving but there are times when we ourselves don’t understand the stubbornness within us.

         This is the case in our parable today that we read in 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝟐𝟏:𝟐𝟖-𝟑𝟐 where we find two brothers with two differing responses to the instruction given by their father. This is something that is not new to us since there are times when we find ourselves in the same situation as with the two brothers in the gospel.

         And today, Jesus asks those listening to him after he told them about the parable of the two sons: What do you think? Who will inherit the kingdom of heaven? Scripture warns that the proud and the haughty will fall, but the humble and lowly will be raised up.

         Scripture tells us that we should always be aware that pride leads to sin and rebellion. Humility leads to repentance and submission to the will of God.

         Jesus has not been remiss in reminding the people that the prophets of Israel warned their people that unfaithfulness and disobedience would lead to their downfall – they would be scattered among the nations and lose everything that was once precious to them – their temple and holy city Jerusalem, their royal priesthood, their unity as a holy nation, and their covenant relationship with God as his chosen ones would be damaged as well.

         And this is what Jesus had lamented when the Israelites through all the years prior to His coming have largely ignored the Prophets that have been sent to build a bridge between the people and the Kingdom of God.

         We see this in the first reading when the prophet Zephaniah reminded his people that God would bring healing, pardon, and restoration to those who turned back to him with repentance and trust.

         And it probably came as a shock to the self-righteous in Israel at the time when Jesus harped on those who outwardly practiced the external rituals of their religion while inwardly harboring evil thoughts and intentions, by declaring that the tax collectors and harlots would enter the kingdom of God before them.

         Jesus illustrated his point by narrating a very simple story of two imperfect sons. The father amply provided for his sons everything they needed – food, clothing, and shelter. He thought they would be grateful to work for him in exchange for his generous provision and care for them.

         Like our current situation when we almost have everything we need to get by daily and in the spiritual realm we live in, God expects us to show our gratitude and respect by our being obedient and diligent in tending to the God’s vineyard – our hearts.

         Although the "rebellious" son told his father to his face that he would not work for him, he afterwards changed his mind and did what his father commanded him to do.

        On the other hand, the "good" son said he would work for his father but didn't carry this through. He went about doing his own will contrary to his father's will.

        And Jesus asks those listening who of the two was really the good son? Both sons disobeyed their father; but one repented and then did what the father told him.

        I cannot help but equate myself to the situation of the two imperfect sons in this parable. Many times, in the past, I was like either of the two sons. I can be an obedient child to what I am told to do something by parents as I know that this is the right thing to do. At other times, I find myself like the son who says yes and yet not following what I am told to do.

        Jesus makes his point clear: Good intentions are not enough. And promises don't count unless they are performed. God wants to change our hearts so that we will show by our actions that we respect his will and do it.

        All throughout, God offers each of us the greatest treasure possible – unending peace, joy, happiness, and life with him in his kingdom.

        We can permanently lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God offers us to follow in his way of truth, love, and righteousness and Jesus encourages us to think – to think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but for eternity as well.

        The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the life of the age to come. So the question is are you ready to obey Our heavenly Father and to choose His kingdom of righteousness and peace? The choice is always yours to make. What will it be? (𝘌𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺 – 𝘋𝘦𝘤. 16, 2025)