Homily for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Theme: Parable of the two Sons. “Which of the two did the father’s will?”
By: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
Homily for Tuesday December 14 2021
Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church. **
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13
Psalm 33:2-3,6-7,16,18-19,23
Matthew 21:28-32
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brethrens, today, we contemplate the father who had two sons and went to the first and said to him: «Son, today go and work in my vineyard». And he answered: «‘I don’t want to’. But later he thought better of it and went». Then, he also went to the second with the same command. And he replied: «‘I will go, sir’, but he did not go». What really matters is not saying “yes”, but “doing it”. As the saying goes «actions speak louder than words».
*WHAT DOES THIS PARABLE MEAN TO US?*
This parable of the two sons describes also of our two responses to the will of God. When we do God’s will, we will become holy and righteous. This is manifested by accepting the ministry of Jesus. Accepting the ministry of Jesus is more than accepting the right path which is the following of the Law (Job 24:13; Prov 8:20). This is saying ‘yes’ to God at all times. There are many times that we may say ‘no’ to God but we can change. We can also admit that we have been wrong and change the course of life. And John Henry Newman said: “To live is to change. To be perfect is to have changed often.”
*THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF TODAYS READINGS*
And so, we have to know God’s will in our lives. What really God wants us to do. And we have to do God’s will. Just like this story I read about Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, one day said to Fr. Lainz: “Suppose God let you choose, either to go to heaven now or to stay on earth with the chance of doing something for His glory, which would you choose?” “I would make certain of heaven now,” replied Fr. Lainz. “Well,” said the saint, “For my part, I would remain on earth, to do the will of God. As for saving of my soul, I am sure God would take care of it. I don’t believe he would let anyone perish who, for love of Him, had delayed entering heaven.”
*CONCLUSION*
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all be inspired to follow the Lord, to be faithful and obedient to Him as St. John of the Cross had done, that is with genuine faith and devotion, and not with false and empty promises and merely superficial faith. Let us truly love the Lord, our most compassionate, loving and patient God, Who has done everything to reach out to us and to save us all from our fated destruction because of our many sins. Let us all look up to His love and generous mercy, and dedicate ourselves anew to Him, now and always.
May God bless you dear brethren!
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA