September 25th 2011: Sunday Gospel Reflection

Matthew 21: 28-32

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells a story about two sons who are each asked by their father to go out to the vineyard to work. One son says ‘yes’ but never goes, the other says ‘no’ but ends up going after all. The message of Jesus is that we are called to be authentic people of Faith. Jesus does not care if we say the right things but rather that we be the right kind of people.

When we remember and believe that we are loved abundantly (even irrationally!) by God then we will choose to love Him in return. When we choose not to love God and our neighbor we become less whole and send a message to our friends, and family that what we believe might not be true.

A Franciscan priest, Brennan Manning, once wrote that: 

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle…

that is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." 

Today we have an opportunity to be authentic, the best versions of ourselves that we can be. When people see us love others as radically as God loves us they will know that there is something different about us, that God is with us and that we (all) are the Beloved Daughters and Sons of God!

Questions for Reflection/Discussion: 

-In what ways to I not act in a way consistent to what I say about being a follower of Jesus?

-Who are the people in my life who are looking for an authentic Christian example?

 -What is one way that I can be that example by loving someone radically this week?

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