The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to move beyond our statements of support to actions that present our faith, hope, and love to the people we encounter on our journey.
In the Reading from the Prophet Zephaniah, Jerusalem is Reproached.
* [3:1] The tyrannical city: Jerusalem.
Psalm 34 declares God will make them powerful and give them protection.
* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (“Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB,” n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents The Parable of the Two Sons.
* [21:28–32] The series of controversies is interrupted by three parables on the judgment of Israel (Mt 21:28–22:14) of which this, peculiar to Matthew, is the first. The second (Mt 21:33–46) comes from Mark (12:1–12), and the third (Mt 22:1–14) from Q; see Lk 14:15–24. This interruption of the controversies is similar to that in Mark, although Mark has only one parable between the first and second controversy. As regards Matthew’s first parable, Mt 21:28–30 if taken by themselves could point simply to the difference between saying and doing, a theme of much importance in this gospel (cf. Mt 7:21; 12:50); that may have been the parable’s original reference. However, it is given a more specific application by the addition of Mt 21:31–32. The two sons represent, respectively, the religious leaders and the religious outcasts who followed John’s call to repentance. By the answer they give to Jesus’ question (Mt 21:31) the leaders condemn themselves. There is much confusion in the textual tradition of the parable. Of the three different forms of the text given by important textual witnesses, one has the leaders answer that the son who agreed to go but did not was the one who did the father’s will. Although some scholars accept that as the original reading, their arguments in favor of it seem unconvincing. The choice probably lies only between a reading that puts the son who agrees and then disobeys before the son who at first refuses and then obeys, and the reading followed in the present translation. The witnesses to the latter reading are slightly better than those that support the other.
* [21:31] Entering…before you: this probably means “they enter; you do not.” (“Matthew, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB,” n.d.)
Tom Kelly comments that the question that ends the story is “which of the two did his Father’s will?” Jesus then emphasizes that those willing to change their minds (admit their limits, see their own faults, acknowledge their dependence on God) will enter the Kingdom of God.
Humility and action are my personal takeaways from today’s readings. The first acknowledges that we need to be nimble of mind and admit when we are wrong. The second reminds us that words are never enough. Action is required to express our faith. We see these truths framed not only here, but throughout the Gospels. (Kelly, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “The Father and his two sons,” author unknown, from the 5th century A.D.
"Who is this if not the God who created all people and loves them with a fatherly affection, the God who preferred to be loved as a father rather than feared as a lord, even though he was Lord by nature? On this account, at the beginning of the commandments of the law, he did not say, 'You shall fear the Lord with all your heart' but 'you shall love the Lord with all your heart' (Deuteronomy 6:5). To elicit love is not characteristic of a lord but of a father. Of the two sons in this parable, the older one represents the Gentiles, since they come from their father Noah. The younger son represents the Jews, who come from Abraham. 'And approaching the first, he said, "Son, go and work today in my vineyard." 'Today' refers to this present age. How did he speak to his sons? He didn't address them face to face like man, but he spoke to the heart, like God. Man only utters words to the ear, but God supplies understanding to the mind." (excerpt from an incomplete Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, HOMILY 40) (Schwager, 2025)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 21:28-32 asserts that “No” doesn’t have to be our final answer!
Have you been to Confession yet this Advent? If not, go! Take a few moments to read the examination of conscience on page 60 of this magazine, and ask the Spirit to help you see where your no can turn to yes. Then go and confess. Turn back to the warm embrace of your heavenly Father. Let him wash you clean. Let him say, “Neither do I condemn you” (John 8:11). It’s never too late to start over again!
“Father, I’m sorry for all the times I’ve said no to you. Wipe my slate clean and help me to say yes today!” (“Meditation on Matthew 21:28-32,” 2025)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Zephaniah presents the restoration of the people of Israel and their spiritual identity. God would bring them back is a prophecy when the Jews were living in other lands in the diaspora. They will be brought back home. The Gospel of Matthew presents a man with two sons; one who initially refuses and later does the father’s will; another who accepts the Father’s will and then refuses to act. Who is actually doing the Father’s Will? A lot are claiming to follow the Lord but are not and a lot are doing the wrong thing but may come back. Many tax collectors and prostitutes are responding to the Father and Friar Jude affirms we should reach out with our action and kindness and once in a while with our words.
Fr. Mike Schmitz provides the context and background of the letter of James. Fr. Mike unpacks the beautiful truths contained in the letter of James, including a discussion of faith and works and addressing the importance of demonstrating our intrinsic belonging to the Lord through our actions. Today’s readings are James 1-2, Philippians 3-4, and Proverbs 30:1-6.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces elder and retired pastor Wes Granberg-Michaelson who views awe and wonder as resources to inspire us when we come to the end of our own knowing. Those who are called mystics nearly always display an intimate sense of connection to the created world. Often this comes with striking particularity, like a reflection on a stone, or Julian of Norwich’s vision of a hazelnut. Because mystics grasp the interconnection of all things, they perceive God’s presence as commingled with all creation. Contemplation radicalizes the sense of God’s presence in the world….
But you don’t have to be Julian of Norwich or Thomas Merton to participate in this understanding of interconnectedness. The doorways that open the pathway of this experience will vary according to your life’s setting and history. But in the shroud of intellectual uncertainty and doubt, you are likely to be drawn to experiences with nature that inspire transcendent awe…. You discover instances of inspiration and wonder that move beyond and beneath mere cognition.
Maybe your wandering time leads you on a wilderness hike when you cross a ridge and are awestruck by a shimmering alpine lake reflecting a snow-covered mountain peak like a mirror. Or maybe you happen upon a firefly at nightfall in your backyard, where that tiny, sudden light blinks up, rises, and settles on your arm. In simple and unexpected moments of epiphany, you will sense that you are connected to creation in ways that bypass your self-protective, preoccupied, rational mind. Your task? Be attentive. Allow your wonder to wander. (Rohr, n.d.)
We reflect on the promises we have made that still need action and implore the Spirit to increase our awareness of the fullness of life in doing “the Will of the Father”
References
Kelly, T. (2025, December 16). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-16-2025
Matthew, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/21?28
Meditation on Matthew 21:28-32. (2025, December 16). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/16/1446552/
Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/allow-your-wonder-to-wander/
Schwager, D. (2025, December 16). Which Son Did the Father's Will? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Zephaniah, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zephaniah/3?1
No comments:
Post a Comment