“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.” – Matthew 21:31-32

Jesus challenges us today to think about the true meaning of righteousness and how we apply it in our daily life. He mentions the unexpected recipients of God’s Kingdom: tax collectors and prostitutes, whom society often condemns. He reminds us that it’s not our religious status or position that matters but our willingness to be humble and repent of our sins.

This reminds me of our mission at The Feast, the faith community to which I belong, to reach the “unchurched.” We are called to share God’s love to everyone regardless of their past, just as Jesus did. At the same time, God also wants to move in our hearts, minds, and lives. He wants us to be open to His love—a love that transforms us for His greater glory. 

Let’s embrace God’s mercy and ask Him to help us be truly righteous in His eyes. Let’s also pray for the willingness to see His grace at work in the people around us, even those who may seem far from Him. 

Tina Santiago Rodriguez (trulyrichandblessed@gmail.com)

reflect

“Jesus is living next to you, in the brothers and sisters with whom you share your daily existence.” (Saint John Paul II)

Lord, I am nothing without You. I need Your grace. Help me to grow in righteousness, according to Your will and plan for my life. 

Saint Albina, pray for us.

Zephaniah prophesies a time when Israel humbles itself before the Lord God. Without humility before God, there will be no true greatness in the world. Humility is also a sign of holiness and greatness in the life of faith. St. Catherine of Siena reminds us that humility provides the mortar between the virtues.

¹ Thus says the Lord: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! ² She hears no voice, accepts no correction; in the Lord she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near. ⁹ For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one accord; ¹⁰ from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings. ¹¹ On that day you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; for then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. ¹² But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: ¹³ the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19, 23

R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

² I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. ³ Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) ⁶ Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. ⁷ When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) ¹⁷ The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. ¹⁸ When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) ¹⁹ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.   ²³ The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 21:28-32

Results are important, but so are intentions. However, repentance, realizing our mistakes, and changing our responses are also important. A life of holiness recognizes all three and summarizes them in a life of repentance and holiness. Let us remember that the Gospel gives priority to repentance over holiness. We need to turn away from our sins before we can grow in holiness.

Gospel Acclamation

Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.

²⁸ 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.’ ²⁹ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. ³¹ 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. ³² 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.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read SONG OF SONGS 1 - 4 today.

A father gathered his three children and, together, they sat in a circle on the floor. The dad placed a toy in the middle, saying that he won it as a door prize and wanted to give it to one of them but with a condition. He asked them, “Who is the most obedient?” The children just stared at him. Sensing that they didn’t understand the word “obedient,” he explained, “OK, who always obeys Mommy and does everything she says?” One of the children picked up the toy and handed it to the father. “You win!” exclaimed the child. The children may not have understood the word obedient, but they saw it in the actions of their father.

It is clear in the Parable of the Two Sons that obedience, i.e., acting on the word of God, is a condition to enter the Kingdom. We saw a son who said “yes” but did not do his father’s command, and another who said “no” but eventually followed his father’s command. Obedience is not something God wants to hear from us. It is something He wants to see.

Isn’t that what happens every Sunday, or every time we gather at Mass to worship? We profess our faith, and God hears it. I’m sure it is something sweet to His ears, but there is something sweeter—when our actions back up our faith. How many times in the Scriptures have we read “when Jesus saw their faith” precede a miracle?

When you continue to smile at difficult people at the office; when you continue to understand an erring spouse; when you continue to give in times of scarcity; when you struggle to get off your bed and go to Church for Mass—that is the obedience that God wants to see. That is putting actions to back up your faith. 

Fr. Joel Jason

reflection questions

Is your faith life audiovisual? Can it be heard and seen?

Bless me with the strength to obey today, O Lord, that I may gain favor in Your eyes and a place in Your Kingdom. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________