Let Faith Touch Your Heart
Jesus gives a warning addressed to the chief priests and elders of the people that is particularly severe: “The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will bear its fruits” (Matthew 21:43).
These are words that make us think of the great responsibility of those who, in every age, are called to work in the vineyard of the Lord, especially with the role of authority; they move us to complete fidelity to Christ.
He is the “stone that the builders rejected” (cf. Matthew 21:42), because they judged him an enemy of the law and a threat to public order; but he himself, rejected and crucified, is risen, becoming the “cornerstone” upon which every human existence and the entire world can rest with absolute security.
It is not words that matter, but deeds, deeds of conversion and faith. Jesus directs this message to the chief priests and elders of the people of Israel, that is, to the religious experts of his people. At first they say “yes” to God’s will, but their piety becomes routine and God no longer matters to them. For this reason they find the message of Jesus disturbing. This same message is being given to you today. Is it disturbing to you?
The Lord concludes his parable with harsh words: ” For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him, and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him” (Mt 21:32).
Translated into the language of the present day, this statement might sound something like this: agnostics, who are constantly exercised by the question of God, those who long for a pure heart but suffer on account of their sin, are closer to the Kingdom of God than believers whose life of faith is “routine” and who regard the Church merely as an institution, without letting it touch their hearts, or letting the faith touch their hearts.
Compiled by Jacqueline kamau
Jacqueline.kamau@gmail.com jacquelinewords.wordpress.com
27th Sunday In Ordinary Time
(Liturgical Year A)
Jesus gives a warning addressed to the chief priests and elders of the people that is particularly severe: “The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will bear its fruits” (Matthew 21:43).
These are words that make us think of the great responsibility of those who, in every age, are called to work in the vineyard of the Lord, especially with the role of authority; they move us to complete fidelity to Christ.
He is the “stone that the builders rejected” (cf. Matthew 21:42), because they judged him an enemy of the law and a threat to public order; but he himself, rejected and crucified, is risen, becoming the “cornerstone” upon which every human existence and the entire world can rest with absolute security.
It is not words that matter, but deeds, deeds of conversion and faith. Jesus directs this message to the chief priests and elders of the people of Israel, that is, to the religious experts of his people. At first they say “yes” to God’s will, but their piety becomes routine and God no longer matters to them. For this reason they find the message of Jesus disturbing. This same message is being given to you today. Is it disturbing to you?
The Lord concludes his parable with harsh words: ” For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him, and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him” (Mt 21:32).
Translated into the language of the present day, this statement might sound something like this: agnostics, who are constantly exercised by the question of God, those who long for a pure heart but suffer on account of their sin, are closer to the Kingdom of God than believers whose life of faith is “routine” and who regard the Church merely as an institution, without letting it touch their hearts, or letting the faith touch their hearts.
Compiled by Jacqueline kamau
Jacqueline.kamau@gmail.com jacquelinewords.wordpress.com
27th Sunday In Ordinary Time
(Liturgical Year A)
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