HAVE THE SAME MIND OF JESUS CHRIST

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

 Since the Reformation, in the western world, the Church has been divided into two lines of thought: a) the Protestant, following Luther’s teaching that we are saved by faith alone; b) the Catholic, in which faith must be tested and proved real by a behaviour according to Jesus’ way.

“To be saved by faith” means that salvation is always a free gift from God, who is full of love and mercy (Ep 2:5,8). We are saved by grace, meaning that we are never able to get it by our effort. However, this does not mean that it is enough to say: “I believe”. Faith leads us to Jesus Christ, so that we follow him, walking on his footsteps. Faith demands obedience and faithfulness and we will be judged by that. By faith, we become one with Jesus Christ, and then we must look like Jesus Christ, learning from him and behaving like him. Saint James tells us that faith without deeds is dead: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17). That’s what this Sunday’s gospel tells us. In a little parable, Jesus appeals to something that happens in all households and to which everybody can relate. The father tells his elder son to go and work in the vineyard. His first reaction was a refusal, but then thought it out and decided to go and work. The younger son was quick to accept the father’s command, but he never showed up in the vineyard. His willingness to obey was just expressed in words, empty words. He did not mean what he said. He said “I believe, I am ready to obey” and then e did his own things and walked on his own way. His acquiescence to the father’s request was not translated into action and deeds. The first son reflected upon his attitude and, realising that he was wrong, he changed his attitude and did what the father had told him to do.

In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel presents the same line of thought. He may start our life by ignoring God’s will and then repent, behaving like a child of God. Those are accepted by God and rewarded in his kingdom. The opposite may happen as well. Since our childhood, we may show a willingness to listen and to obey and then we change our attitudes and deviate from the straight path, refusing to listen and to obey. God will look to their present evil deeds and the gates of heaven will be closed to us.

In the second reading, taken from the letter to the Philippians, Paul tells us what faith implies: to become like Jesus. “In your minds, you must be the same as Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5).