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Gospel: Matthew 21: 28 -32
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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When the English author G.K. Chesterton was asked, “What is wrong with the world?”
He replied, “I am.”
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Most of us would answer differently.
What’s wrong with the world?
Politics. Greed. Terrorism. Corruption. Racism. COVID. Wildfires. The flu.
Anything – and anyone – but me.
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Why would Chesterton, a devout Christian, say he’s part of what’s wrong with the world?
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He wasn’t taking personal responsibility for all of the world’s problems. But he was acknowledging the role he’s played in perpetuating them.
Like the first son in today’s Gospel, Chesterton admits to ignoring his conscience at times, to saying “no” to doing his Father’s will.
Whether that meant clinging to a grudge; indulging in food or drink; being selfish; gossiping; or whatever his sins may have been.
But, like that first son, Chesterton also repented – and tried to be better.
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That’s an important part of our Advent journeys – acknowledging those areas where we’ve fallen short. Or, you might say, have been part of the “problem.”
We acknowledge our shortcomings, repent, and strive to be better.
So, what’s wrong with the world?
At times, I am. But Advent is an appointed time for all of us to change.
What might that look like for me today?
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Image credits: (1) petesantucci.com, Chesterton (2) Orthodoxy, Chesterton (3) Journeywithus.asia