The first son was honest, in the sense that he is openly rebellious (Shows himself) in how he actually is, before his Fathers command, nevertheless eventually in humility (Sees the reality of himself as he actually is) complies with his Fathers will.
The second son wanted an image of goodness before his Father and was prepared to lie/deceive to sustain that image.
It could be said that this deception continues within many of us still today, as it is reflected within our leader’s refusal to confront honestly the churches ongoing problems, as many of us also cling to a worldly image of goodness, while we act out the second son’s deception, one that emanates from pride.
We can only hope and pray that we will all have the courage to face the full reality of our own brokenness and embrace humility, and then like the first son who showed warts and all return to the vineyard and produce much fruit.
The difference between two sons is in the serving of the Truth, as it could be said one acted out of pride the other humility.
True repentance moves the heart of God.
Self-righteousness displeases God and nullifies the good works.
Homily:
Opening story:
Ramya was the only child of her parents. During the nationwide quarantine period, she started watching youtube DIY (Do it yourself) videos and became addicted to the same. She was not focusing on studies nor learning piano. Her parents tried to bring her out of the addiction, but it only increased the stress level among them. Peace was totally lost in the family. Ramya’s father came up with a plan. He told Ramya, “Hereafter, we will not stop you from watching youtube videos. But you have to earn your youtube time”. Every hour she had to study and write a test on what she had studied. She could watch DIY videos the rest of the time of the same hour. Plan worked out!! She work hard to earn her little bit of DIY time.
Focusing on cultivating good habits will eventually keep us out of bad habits.
Takeaway from first reading:
The First reading clearly explains the true meaning of repentance. Repentance is not only feeling sorry for the sins we have committed; but turning away from them.
When you need to repent of anything, don’t put it off for some other time. Go ahead and do it immediately. Ask forgiveness from God with a sense of repentance and be at peace. Please do not allow your thoughts to linger on the same past sins again. Believe that the blood of Jesus Christ has forgiven your sins.
Change your thoughts and your actions will be changed.
Takeaway from second reading:
The Second reading says that Jesus was not interested in making a reputation for Himself. He did not work on making a name for Himself among the people or to be praised by all. He worked only on proclaiming God’s love not attaching any of His personal interest to it. Are we doing the same?
A manipulative mind is a mind that always thinks ‘What’s in it for me?’ It keeps personal-interest in front rather than the needs of the community. If we humble ourselves before God and do not think about our personal gain or personal reputation, He will ensure that the right people know who we are and He will open the doors that need to be opened for us.
If we continue working with our manipulative mind for our glory, then we will become people-pleasers instead of God pleasers.
Jesus pleased God Almighty by humbly taking a human form and obediently undergoing a terrible death on the cross. Hence God exalted the name of Jesus above all names – in Heaven, on earth and under the earth.
There is power in the name of Jesus. At the very mention of the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The name of Jesus is a huge gift for us. Be it the chain of sin, sickness, unemployment, lack of peace, lack of money or whatever it may be – it is by the name of Jesus, every chain will be broken. All graces will be obtained in the name of Jesus. Use the powerful name of Jesus to break every chain in your life.
Are we God pleasers or people pleasers?
Takeaway from Gospel reading:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the pitiable condition of the self-righteous and the glorified condition of the repentant sinner.
It’s a very important but often ignored truth in this generation: God alone is righteous.
Self-righteousness is a sin, though nowadays it is not considered as a sin.
Self-righteousness is the opposite of humility. Instead of thinking that I am not greater than my fellow people, it thinks I am the better than my fellow beings. It’s such a powerfully disastrous tool that can nullify all our good works.
In the story of a Pharisee and the tax collector praying to God, the Pharisee was proud hearted – telling about his charity, fasting and all good works.
The tax collector just bent down and repeated “God forgive me, for I am a sinner”.
The repentant heart of the sinner moved the heart rather than the proud heart of the self-righteous Pharisee.
Are we the self-righteous Pharisee?
Tips for true repentance:
1. When you feel that you need to repent of something, don’t put it off for a comfortable time. Go ahead and do it then and there. Ask for God’s forgiveness and do not allow guilt and condemnation to reside in you.
2. The name of Jesus is powerful to break every chain. All chains of sins, sickness, financial requirements or lack of peace will be broken in His name. So always pray in the name of Jesus.
3. In any discussion, suggest your views based on ‘What’s in it for us?’ instead of ‘What’s in it for me?’
4. We should understand that Mr/Ms Perfect is beyond our reach and God does not expect us to be so. As soon as we commit a sin, we should ask for God to forgive us. In a day if we ensure that the total number of times we have victory over temptation is greater than the total number of times we fall to temptation, then we are growing spiritually.
5. Do not tell God or anyone the good works that you do. God sees all things. His recompense will be much greater rather than whatever people give.
6. When you do good, do it humbly, thanking God for giving the opportunity to do it.
When we do good, we should be careful not to become self-righteous and when we repent, we should not waste time on guilt and condemnation.
The first son was honest, in the sense that he is openly rebellious (Shows himself) in how he actually is, before his Fathers command, nevertheless eventually in humility (Sees the reality of himself as he actually is) complies with his Fathers will.
The second son wanted an image of goodness before his Father and was prepared to lie/deceive to sustain that image.
It could be said that this deception continues within many of us still today, as it is reflected within our leader’s refusal to confront honestly the churches ongoing problems, as many of us also cling to a worldly image of goodness, while we act out the second son’s deception, one that emanates from pride.
We can only hope and pray that we will all have the courage to face the full reality of our own brokenness and embrace humility, and then like the first son who showed warts and all return to the vineyard and produce much fruit.
The difference between two sons is in the serving of the Truth, as it could be said one acted out of pride the other humility.
kevin your brother
In Christ
Key message:
True repentance moves the heart of God.
Self-righteousness displeases God and nullifies the good works.
Homily:
Opening story:
Ramya was the only child of her parents. During the nationwide quarantine period, she started watching youtube DIY (Do it yourself) videos and became addicted to the same. She was not focusing on studies nor learning piano. Her parents tried to bring her out of the addiction, but it only increased the stress level among them. Peace was totally lost in the family. Ramya’s father came up with a plan. He told Ramya, “Hereafter, we will not stop you from watching youtube videos. But you have to earn your youtube time”. Every hour she had to study and write a test on what she had studied. She could watch DIY videos the rest of the time of the same hour. Plan worked out!! She work hard to earn her little bit of DIY time.
Focusing on cultivating good habits will eventually keep us out of bad habits.
Takeaway from first reading:
The First reading clearly explains the true meaning of repentance. Repentance is not only feeling sorry for the sins we have committed; but turning away from them.
When you need to repent of anything, don’t put it off for some other time. Go ahead and do it immediately. Ask forgiveness from God with a sense of repentance and be at peace. Please do not allow your thoughts to linger on the same past sins again. Believe that the blood of Jesus Christ has forgiven your sins.
Change your thoughts and your actions will be changed.
Takeaway from second reading:
The Second reading says that Jesus was not interested in making a reputation for Himself. He did not work on making a name for Himself among the people or to be praised by all. He worked only on proclaiming God’s love not attaching any of His personal interest to it. Are we doing the same?
A manipulative mind is a mind that always thinks ‘What’s in it for me?’ It keeps personal-interest in front rather than the needs of the community. If we humble ourselves before God and do not think about our personal gain or personal reputation, He will ensure that the right people know who we are and He will open the doors that need to be opened for us.
If we continue working with our manipulative mind for our glory, then we will become people-pleasers instead of God pleasers.
Jesus pleased God Almighty by humbly taking a human form and obediently undergoing a terrible death on the cross. Hence God exalted the name of Jesus above all names – in Heaven, on earth and under the earth.
There is power in the name of Jesus. At the very mention of the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The name of Jesus is a huge gift for us. Be it the chain of sin, sickness, unemployment, lack of peace, lack of money or whatever it may be – it is by the name of Jesus, every chain will be broken. All graces will be obtained in the name of Jesus. Use the powerful name of Jesus to break every chain in your life.
Are we God pleasers or people pleasers?
Takeaway from Gospel reading:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the pitiable condition of the self-righteous and the glorified condition of the repentant sinner.
It’s a very important but often ignored truth in this generation: God alone is righteous.
Self-righteousness is a sin, though nowadays it is not considered as a sin.
Self-righteousness is the opposite of humility. Instead of thinking that I am not greater than my fellow people, it thinks I am the better than my fellow beings. It’s such a powerfully disastrous tool that can nullify all our good works.
In the story of a Pharisee and the tax collector praying to God, the Pharisee was proud hearted – telling about his charity, fasting and all good works.
The tax collector just bent down and repeated “God forgive me, for I am a sinner”.
The repentant heart of the sinner moved the heart rather than the proud heart of the self-righteous Pharisee.
Are we the self-righteous Pharisee?
Tips for true repentance:
1. When you feel that you need to repent of something, don’t put it off for a comfortable time. Go ahead and do it then and there. Ask for God’s forgiveness and do not allow guilt and condemnation to reside in you.
2. The name of Jesus is powerful to break every chain. All chains of sins, sickness, financial requirements or lack of peace will be broken in His name. So always pray in the name of Jesus.
3. In any discussion, suggest your views based on ‘What’s in it for us?’ instead of ‘What’s in it for me?’
4. We should understand that Mr/Ms Perfect is beyond our reach and God does not expect us to be so. As soon as we commit a sin, we should ask for God to forgive us. In a day if we ensure that the total number of times we have victory over temptation is greater than the total number of times we fall to temptation, then we are growing spiritually.
5. Do not tell God or anyone the good works that you do. God sees all things. His recompense will be much greater rather than whatever people give.
6. When you do good, do it humbly, thanking God for giving the opportunity to do it.
When we do good, we should be careful not to become self-righteous and when we repent, we should not waste time on guilt and condemnation.