Mt 21:28-32
In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns the Pharisees: “When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” Jesus knows the hearts of people, He neither judges by words nor by appearances, Jesus goes deeper into the person’s heart. He knows we are vulnerable to the evil one. Thus He saw into the hearts of the tax collectors and prostitutes who, upon hearing the words of John the Baptist, changed their hearts through repentance and conversion from their sinful life.
Overcoming evil with good
Evil easily disguises itself in our human weaknesses. It tries to corrupt our hearts by magnifying the things or circumstances that give us temporal happiness; but it cannot take over the human heart, unless we allow it in. Just like those who heard John the Baptist’s message of conversion, we too must change our hearts through repentance and conversion from our sins.
This is exactly what Jesus wants to teach us, He wants to nurture us with goodness from within. We are constantly exposed to the evil one, wanting to enter into our hearts to corrupt us from within. People have the ability to either nurture that evil presence or abolish it.
Importance of conscience
This reminds us of the two sons from the parable when their father asks them at different times to “go out and work in the vineyard.” One son says “no” but changes his mind and goes out and fulfills the father’s will. The other son says reverently “yes” but does nothing. The evil presence is there between the father and each of his sons. The first son respond wrongly as he says “no” but his heart reacts and his conscience makes him realize it is wrong. He acknowledges the presence of God in his heart and amends his actions by doing the right thing. He changes his mind and fulfills the father’s will. The other son says “yes,” maybe at the time he truly means it; maybe it is just to make his father feel good; maybe just to get rid of the father’s whining, maybe just to appear to be a good son, but at the end he does nothing; maybe he does not acknowledge God in his heart and neglects His encounter.
Fortifying goodwill
This should make us realize that we must deepen our relationship with Jesus to fortify our hearts and goodwill. How? In prayer, reading the Gospels, attending Mass frequently, encounter Jesus in the confessional, and by fulfilling the Father’s will in penance. Another “weapon of mass conversion” is the Holy Rosary. Let us all pray the rosary, every day! St. Augustine, Father of the Church and Bishop of Hippo, says that prayer is: “the expression of desire and that God responds by moving our hearts toward Him. On our part we must purify our desires and our hopes to welcome the sweetness of God.” These are just a few of the many types of nourishment to nurture one’s soul and heart.
Continuous conversion
This parable is right to the point, even for today, in teaching us to be honest, genuine, and humble. Life is too short to act as if we were in a play trying to accommodate the worldly things that give us temporal pleasures. We want to experience the source of eternal happiness in Christ Jesus. He is encountering us right now, as He says: “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” Jesus in His infinite mercy does not get tired as He constantly gives us the opportunity to change our wrongdoings and recognize the goodness all around us.
Allow God to do His work
Actions speak louder than words. Jesus knows our hearts and wants us to come and follow Him with a contrite and humble heart. Our actions must be in accordance with the goodness in our hearts. If one preaches love, one must first practice love for oneself and neighbor, otherwise, words without acts of kindness mean nothing. The outside must reflect the inside, our human core: the heart. St. Cyprian, Father of the Church and Bishop of Carthage, beautifully says: “God is the hearer, not of the voice, but of the heart.” Do not be scare of honesty and prudence. Allow God to do His work in your heart, so that you may see the goodness in everybody, going alongside with the converts who truly and genuinely follow Christ and are witnesses of this mystery. Be attentive of God’s presence and make sure to acknowledge Him by your acts of kindness. Yes, must means “yes” and at times a hasty no, by our actions, might turn into a silent “yes.”
Milton J. Martinez, Miami