Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents the scenario of two sons who were told to go work in the field. The first says he will not go, but goes to work in the field anyway. The second son says he will work in the field, but doesn’t follow through with his promise. Of course, it is the first son who actually does the will of the Father. Then Jesus says something very interesting: “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.” How do these words relate to someone doing the will of the Father? Surely the Father does not desire that anyone sell themself in prostitution, or that someone engage in the abusive practices of the tax collectors of Jesus’ time. What is Jesus trying to say to us?
The tax collectors and prostitutes saw John the Baptist’s way of righteousness and therefore believed him. Presumably, they also changed their ways and followed him in the way of righteousness. We can infer that the will of the Father is for us to know the way of righteousness, to believe, and to be converted to that righteousness. Even if someone had always been saying (and living) in a way that rejects righteousness, that person does the will of the Father if they change. The hypocrisy that Jesus speaks of regarding the second son, has no place in the Kingdom. Such empty promises of doing the Father’s will are only a false piety. Better to be a converted notorious sinner than someone who was just lazy and would not do the will of the Father. This, then, is a message of hope for us sinners. It is not too late for us to go do the will of the Father anyway, even if we had rejected it before.