Choices
October 1, 2023: A reflection for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 21:28-32
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. (Mt 21:23-24)
Today’s readings speak of ways of living, ways of thinking and remind us of how we can change our minds or how we live, for the good or for the evil.
Jesus gives us the parable about the two sons’ responses to their father’s command to work in the vineyard. The first son replied that he would not go, but then changed his mind and went. The second son replied that he would go and then changed his mind and didn’t go.
In some ways, we have all been like both sons at some time or other in our lives. When faced with the choice of doing what is right or giving in to lesser tendencies, we had choices. And our choices became actions which made visible to us our inner thoughts or dispositions.
The first son had second thoughts about his response to his father to disobey and changed his mind and went. His choice revealed to himself what he was made of, and what was the compass that steered him. Today’s second reading from Philippians would call it ‘the mind of Christ.’
God has blest us with many gifts, and perhaps the freedom of choice is the greatest. It is a sacred gift from the heart of God, to be free to choose. A freedom that can express the gift of self to God and others, a choice for being the “best version of ourselves,” as they say today. Our choices can make or break us.
Thank God, though, that we can, like the first son, change our mind when we have chosen badly and be true to our inherent greatness as children of God to choose wisely.
Jesus, help us to live with compassion and mercy, having within us the same mind as yours. To live as your children, each of us looking out not for our own interests, but also for those of others. And thank you for your sacred gift of choice with which we can act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.