Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
...to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins....
Always, the first days of Advent remind us of God's invitation to turn away from sin and live by the Gospel. There is no other way to prepare for the birth of our savior. No one can be delivered who does not admit the need for deliverance from their sins. A boy who will not open his mouth cannot be fed.
We all know people who cannot admit they were wrong about anything, neither simple errors of calculation nor personal wrongdoing. They rely on denials, excuses, rebuttals, and personal attacks to defend themselves from the hard truth that they were wrong. I heard of one fellow who was promised his freedom if he would submit to therapy for his pathological desires. (This was during those idealistic days when people hoped pedophilia might respond to treatment.)
He would not have to endure the humiliation and potential abuse of prison inmates. He stood mute and gave no indication he would ever speak, leaving the judge no choice but to sentence the son of good parents, husband of a faithful wife, and father of several children to ten years.
It's not that hard to admit I have done wrong. It may come easier to children when they are caught in foolishness or a lie, but the Gospel insistently reminds us that everyone, regardless of their age, must become childlike to enter the Kingdom of God. And so we enter the privacy of the confessional to admit to God, to another person , and to oneself, "I did wrong, I have sinned."
There is freedom there, an astonishing freedom that feels like power. "I can do this!" one might say, despite a conviction that it was impossible. "I can say this; I can admit it; and walk free! How about that!
"And I can trust the God who always knew what I would do, was doing, and had done, to forgive me as I turned back to him. I can join the crowd of tax collectors and sinners, and take the place reserved for me at the Lord's table."
"Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ."
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.