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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’s wrong with the world?”
He replied, “Sir, I am.”
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Most of us would answer differently.
What’s wrong with the world?
Terrorism. Look no further than Bondi Beach.
Corruption. Racism. Politics. Wildfires. The flu.
Anything – and anyone – but me.
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Why would Chesterton, a devout Christian, say he’s part of the what’s wrong with the world?
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Because he identified with the first of two sons in today’s Gospel, who said “no” to doing his father’s will, refusing to work in his vineyard, but later repented and changed his ways.
That’s the essence of the Christian journey: not claiming perfection, but acknowledging we are a work in progress. At times, we may ignore our conscience, succumb to temptation, or give into the whims of our ego and flesh.
But Christians learn from their mistakes, repent of any wrongdoing, amend their ways, and get to work.
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So, what’s wrong with the world?
At times, I am.
Perhaps we all are.
May God give us the grace to grow, forgive, and live as our better selves today.
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Image credits: (1) God & Life & Stuff (2) Anecdote (3) Reddit