JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ROLE MODEL

XXVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 21:28-32

In the second reading, taken from the letter to the Philippians, Paul proposes Christ as the role model: “In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5). We must follow in his footsteps. We should not forget that he is the way, the only way that takes us to the Father (Jn 14:6). That’s why Jesus gave Simon Peter a stern warning and command: “Get behind me!” (Mt 16:23). The disciple must learn from the Master and follow him behind. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul advises them and all of us to be like Jesus, presenting a fundamental attitude for us to follow. 

As the Son of God, Jesus was divine, but he did not cling to his divinity or boast about it. On the contrary, he “emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are”. Jesus did not care about the glories of this world but humbled himself “even to accepting death, death on a cross.”. That’s the way he proposes to us: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:24). In this world of ours, people do the strangest things to become famous and receive thunderous applause, even if it is for a short moment. They become deluded with the dream of a false greatness that does not bring goodness and well-being to the world. With Jesus, the path to true glory - which is a share in God’s glory - goes through the difficult and harsh moments of life, strengthened and upheld by God’s grace and love. Passing through the death on the cross, Jesus reached the glory of the resurrection. As for imitating Jesus, he proposes another essential attitude: the attitude of obedience, carrying out the Father’s will. To enter the Kingdom of God, we must do “the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 7:21). The parable of the two sons, whom the father sent to the vineyard, makes it clear: the only thing that matters is to do the will of the Father. It may happen, as it did with the elder son, that the first reaction is one of refusal but then he had a change of heart and obeyed his father’s command.

Let us ask the Lord to grant us that change of heart for us to do his will, thus behaving like beloved children.