Sep 27 2008
What Son are You
Consider this Sunday’s (September 28, 2008) Gospel reading:
“What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.” (Mt. 21: 28-32 RSV)
This Gospel reading holds a special place for me since it was the first reading when I came back to the Chuch in my freshman year of college.
For me, I kind of see my self as the First son, but there is a little of both of them in all of us. Yes, we say we are going to follow the teachings of Our Lord, but we often do not follow through (i.e. The Second Son). Later we repent and go to confession (i.e. The First Son). It seems to be a constant struggle between the two sons depending on the situation.
Yes, I would like to ramain the First Son after he repents, but that seems not to be possible. Thankfully, there is the Sacrament of Reconcilliation for those who stray from the path of the Lord.
