“A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went….”
Matthew 21: 28-29
Today we honor John of the Cross, a 16th century Carmelite. Just a year after John's ordination, Teresa of Avila enlisted his help as confidante and advisor. I'm impressed that they trod barefoot in simplicity to invite the monasteries to revive their original austerity. John's beautiful poems, such as The Dark Night of the Soul, express intense longing and mystical union between the human soul and Christ. They were often written during his imprisonment by objectors to the Carmelite reformation. In the Gospel, Jesus tells a story of a different sort of reform. A man has two sons, and asks both to work. The first son says “no” but afterwards goes and asks for forgiveness. The other son says “yes” but doesn’t go. Jesus's point: the self-righteousness of Jewish authorities blinds them to recognizing the long-awaited Messiah. Not so with the tax collectors and prostitutes, who may have touched rock bottom, but they opened their eyes, had a change of heart, and felt the touch of Jesus’s forgiving and loving hand. Truly Jesus is the Messiah.
How open are my eyes to contemplate any hesitation, and to always say a heartfelt "yes" to doing our Father's work?
Help me, Lord, to become my best self in your name.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Kevin Mackin OFM
Did you know...
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, of St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, has served in parish ministry and chaplaincy, and as a college president and professor. His articles and books include Enjoying God's Gifts; Get Thee Behind Me, Satan: Rejecting Evil; and Christian Unity: The Next Step 'That They May All Be One.' His website is www.FatherKevin.com.
