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Home Matthew 21:28-32 NRSVue

Matthew 21:28-32 NRSVue

28“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him, and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Jesus speaks this parable to me. I avoid applying it to others right now and simply accept Jesus' warmth as he sees how I have served. I listen for his invitation as he shows me where I hold back.

Reflection
To live in the kingdom is to be ready to rub shoulders with all kinds. God's love is given freely and is accepted by many. I pray for a heart that is open to those who are not like me.

Reflection
Well, which am I?

Reflection
The first son sounds like a grump, hard to live with. His first reaction tended to be No. He probably suffered as much as anyone from his own grumpiness. But when the chips were down, you could trust him to help. The second son was the smiling sweet-talker. He liked to be in Daddy’s good books, but when he should have been working, he found something better to do – and probably a plausible excuse afterwards.

Reflection
Lord, I would rather be a grumpy but reliable helper than a sweet-talker.

Reflection
He talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. A good way of looking at the people of the gospel today. We all want more than talk. We look for integrity in our lives and in the lives of others. We are unhappy with hypocrisy; we can excuse and forgive weakness and sin, but find it hard to live with acceptable double standards. We criticise corruption in church and state, and expect our leaders to do what they say. We want it also in ourselves. Jesus in this story seems to accept that we will not always do good willingly. It takes time to build up good habits and ways of behaviour. He would prefer that we do good unwillingly than do nothing at all. This is spiritual and human realism. Christian commitment is walking with Jesus. It is being in the world like Jesus, bringing his attitudes of compassion and justice with us. It is in trying to effect the world as he did.