The 20th Sunday after Pentecost, (Proper 21A), Sept. 28, 2008
BCP: Ezek. 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-14 or 25:3-9; Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:28-32
RCL: Exod. 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; or Ezek. 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm
25:1-8; Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:23-32
In the business world, managers who specialize in helping failing corporations to succeed are called “turnaround specialists.” After these experts are given control of the companies, they cut expenses and they adopt new strategies to make the businesses profitable.
The first son in the parable of the two sons doesn’t need any outside help. He is able to turn himself around. While he initially responds to his father’s request to go to work in the family vineyard with blunt refusal—“I will not” — he later changes his mind and decides to get on with the job. By contrast, the second son promises his father that he will go to work and then doesn’t bother to keep his promise.
Matthew suggests that the different responses of the two sons parallel the responses between sinners who followed John the Baptist and supposedly pious people (such as the Jewish leaders whom Jesus was addressing) who scorned the Baptist’s teaching. Yet it is the likely original meaning of the parable that has greater relevance today.
We have all said we were going to do something and then not done it. We have all preached one principle and then practiced another. Christ’s parable suggests that to break the pattern of talking the talk instead of walking the walk, we have to make a decision to act.
Even the most skillful turnaround specialists can be successful only if the corporations are willing to change their culture of failure. Even the wisest spiritual directors can help Christians only when these people want to move in different directions. With no will to change, there will be no way to change.
Yet, as Jesus says, all it takes is one step. Take that one step and the whole universe bends in our direction. As the magnificent line in Ezekiel says, “I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live” (Ezek. 18:32). God wants us to do what we know in our hearts we should do. When we make the decision to act on our deepest beliefs, we are able to breathe in the life God wants us to live.
Look It Up
James 1:22-25 discusses the danger of only hearing the inspired word of God and not acting upon it.
Think About It
Are there values you only claim to follow? How would your life change if you put your principles to work?
Next Sunday
The 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22A), Oct. 5, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80 or 80:7-14; Phil. 3:14-21; Matt. 21:33-43
RCL: Exod. 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19; or Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-14; Phil. 3:4b-14; Matt. 21:33-46
