FAITH IS OBEDIENCE AND SURRENDER TO GOD

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

This Sunday’s first reading and the Gospel make it very clear that we cannot take God for granted.

Since Luther’s time, many people have misunderstood Paul when he says that we are “justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law” (Ro 3:28). Paul’s statement led many to proclaim that it is enough to say: “I believe”, or as some say nowadays “I accept Jesus as my personal saviour”, in order to be saved. The proclamation that we are saved by faith means that we are “justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Ro 3:24). We have no claims on God, no matter how good we are. Salvation is not a right, which I demand to be respected, but a gift of God’s love and mercy, which must be received with thanksgiving.

Faith is first of all a total surrender to God with complete trust in his love. We throw ourselves in his arms, knowing that he holds us tight and will carry us into the joy of his Kingdom. This total surrender implies a new vision and a new way of life, which is shown through our attitudes and our actions. Faith without deeds is a lie, and it does not exist, being no more than empty and useless talk. In the end, we will be judged by our deeds. However, we never acquire rights over God, and faith implies always total dependence on God. 

In the parable of the two sons, one of them said yes to the father’s request, but as soon as he left his father’s presence, he ignored it completely. Many of us are very quick at saying “Yes, Lord!”, but without making the slightest effort to carry out his will. The other son was not happy with the father’s demands, and refused them straight away. However, as he was leaving his father’s presence, he examined himself and decided to do what he had been asked to do. This is the one who carried out his father’s will. Faith, which does not go beyond words, is meaningless. The Lord wants obedience. Whenever we pray “Our Father”, we say: “Your will be done!”. To shout: “Lord! Lord!” does not take us anywhere.

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name? ’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” (Mt 7:22-23)