Ｗe should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20).

To re-apply one’s faith solely in the Lord Jesus Christ, rather than oneself or the things of this world.

To turn from sin and keep God’s commandments, dedicating oneself to the amendment of one’s life.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13

Woe to the rebellious,

The defiled, the city that oppresses! She did not pay attention to the call nor accept the correction;

she did not trust the Lord; nor did she approach her God.

At that time, I will give truthful lips to the pagan nations, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord,

and serve him with the same zeal. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia they will bring offerings to me.

 

On that day, you will no longer be ashamed of all your deeds, when you were unfaithful to me;

I will have removed from your midst the conceited and arrogant;

and my holy mountain will no longer be for you a pretext for boasting.

I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God.

The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely,

nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths. They will eat and rest, with none to threaten them.

 

Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 & 23 

 The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus went on to say, "What do you think of this? A man had two sons.

He went to the first and said to him, 'Son, go and work today in my vineyard.

And the son answered, 'I don't want to'. But later he thought better of it and went.

Then the father went to his other son and said the same thing to him. This son replied, 'I will go, sir, but he did not go.

 

Which of the two did what the father wanted?"They answered, "The first."

And Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you: the publicans and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the kingdom of heaven.

For John came, to show you the way of goodness, and you did not believe him;

but the publicans and the prostitutes did. You were witnesses of this, but you neither repented nor believed him.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"I don't want to.

The parable of the two sons captures the essence of the two responses to God.

One group claims to be working for the Father, but it's mere "lip service" (Is 29:13).

It's simply a collection of pious words and prayers, but said without a love for God or for one's neighbor.

Thus, the practice of religion is a sham and its application to a virtuous life is missing.

 

On the surface, this first group seems very upright, but in reality, their spiritual life is hollow, vain and self-serving.

In contrast, the other group is initially resistant to working for God the Father, and they are not shy in telling him:

"I don't want to." It's selfish, but at least it's honest!

Perhaps that honest clarity helps these people to recognize later that something is wrong and so they change their mind.

They repent. Where do we stand? Which son represents our position in relation to working for God? Are we all talk and no action?

Have we resisted God's will in preference to our own?

Has an Advent longing for Christ stirred our conscience in such a way that we now want to serve the Lord by our manner of life?