THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL:
MATTHEW 21: 23-32 (MESSAGE)
Then he was back in the Temple, teaching. The high
priests and leaders of the people came up and demanded, "Show us your
credentials. Who authorized you to teach here?" Jesus responded,
"First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I'll answer
yours. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans?" They were on the spot and knew it. They
pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say 'heaven,' he'll ask us
why we didn't believe him; if we say 'humans,' we're up against it with the
people because they all hold John up as a prophet." They decided to
concede that round to Jesus. "We don't know," they answered. Jesus said, "Then neither will I answer
your question. Tell me what you think of
this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out
for the day and work in the vineyard.' The son answered, 'I don't want to.'
Later on he thought better of it and went.
The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, 'Sure,
glad to.' But he never went. Which of the two sons did what the father
asked?" They said, "The first." Jesus
said, "Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you
into God's kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up
your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw
their changed lives, you didn't care enough to change and believe him.
What do you think of
this story? Have you ever said one thing
and done another? Did this just happen or was it deliberate? This situation is
very familiar to most people. We have a
penchant for rethinking our decisions and changing our minds.
But what do you
think Jesus is trying to say to us? What
does this parable mean for our lives?
Are we to contemplate what people who say one thing and do another can
teach us? What about those people who
don’t believe the way we do? What can we
learn from them? How about those who are
professed believers, but who exclude the very people God continues to remind us
that God loves? What can we learn from
them? By reflecting on our own words and
actions, what are we being called to do?
Are we being encouraged to change?
Are we being asked to do something differently or to begin to notice
what we say and what we do?
Join us this Sunday,
September 25 at 10:00a.m. in Christ Church for worship as we explore the impact
our words and actions have on our community of faith. During an interactive
service, through words and actions we will name our gifts and share them with
the community. This will be church like none other, so please bring your
friends, neighbors and any strangers you may meet. Everyone is welcome at
Christ Church!
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