Deeds and not Words Only

09-20-2020Weekly Reflection

In the 1st reading, Israel knew that they have a corporate responsibility, as the chosen people, to set a good example to other nations. But with their national institution “Temple” destroyed, their corporate responsibility was in question, a renewed emphasis on “individual responsibility” came into focus. Ezekiel stressed “individual responsibility,” children are not punished for the sins of their parents, but their own. Anyone is free to have a change of heart, from his wickedness to righteousness. We are judged by our new life and not by our sins of the past.

Phil. 2:111 was an exhortation to harmony, in two ways. Negatively, by giving up rivalry and conceit. Positively, through humility, acknowledging that most of the time others are superior to us, in their charity, putting the other first than oneself.

Jesus, confronted by the scribes and the Pharisees taught them a lesson on the importance of “deeds and not just lip service.” He made it clear that no lip service or claiming to know God’s Law can automatically gain access to His Kingdom. It is a sincere metanoia a change of heart that God wants, reminding us that it’s not “because of,” but “in spite of” our past, He sees our hearts and He shows MERCY.

Metanoia: Change of Heart

1. The Parable of the Two Sons is proper only in the Gospel of Matthew. The Gospel stressed the importance of conversion. Israel was like the 2nd son who said “Yes” but failed to follow God’s Law. The Pharisees preached but did not practice what they preached. They did not “walk their talk.” On the other hand, many publicans, Jesus mentioned the tax collectors and the prostitutes, who for a time had fallen away but had a conversion, a metanoia, a change of heart found their way back to God.

2. God is completely different from human beings; God sees the recesses of our soul. He is a merciful and compassionate God. He forgave the servant who owed Him a huge amount (Mt. 18:24) and condemned the same servant for not extending the same mercy to his fellow servant who owed him a much smaller debt. He is merciful, but cannot be forced by our scheme of the standard of rewards and merits, good intention is not enough. The intention and the action must both be good.

3. In deeds and not just in words. We are normally turned off by people of “empty promises.” Consumers patronized companies that live up to their advertisements. A teacher who promptly corrects and hands back the test papers is esteemed by her students. A quiet worker who gets things done is admired by his employer than a talkative one who constantly boasts of his accomplishments. McArthur is revered in the Philippines because he kept his words: “I shall return.”

4. Man sees the face, but God sees the heart. None of those who cried out in Mt. 7:2123, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the Will of My Father in Heaven. Lip service and external service is not enough for God, He wants our heart in place, in communion with Him. How often have we said no, but after some thought realized our mistake and with a contrite heart do what the loving Father commands. We all have our weaknesses, like the Prodigal Son, “I shall rise and go to my Father and say, Father, I have sinned against you…” (Lk. 15:18) Our merciful and compassionate God, who sees all our weakness, fills us again with His love and peace.

5. If there was a third son in the story, he would have been the son par excellence, He is the Son of Man, and the Son of God. His whole life was a constant “Yes” to the Will of the Father. In the garden of Gethsemane, “Not my Will but your Will be done.” (Mt. 26:42) The ideal son, Christian attitude is the imitation of the “third son.” A son who does not rebel, remonstrate, or contradict. He goes out of Himself courageously to embrace the Will of God. His “Yes” is a “Yes” which He does not take back.

“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is PEACE.” (St. Mother Theresa)