GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH
The choices we
make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as
in the age to come.
What kind of future
are you preparing for? Jesus encourages us to think - to think about the
consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will
count not just for now but throughout our journey towards eternal life as well.
The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on
earth as well as in the age to come. Jesus tells a simple story of two
imperfect sons to illustrate the way of God's Kingdom. Jesus makes His point
clear, good intentions are not enough and promises don't count unless they are
fulfilled. God wants to change our hearts so that we will show, by our speech
and by our actions that we respect His will and are ready to do what He
commands.
We hear the Lord
ask, in the first reading of the Prophet Ezekiel, "Is it My way that is
unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair" (Ez 19:25b)? To look at
ourselves is very difficult for us; sometimes we don't like what we see. Many
times when things are going wrong around us we need to look within and evaluate
and make positive changes. We also hear in the first reading to turn away from
wickedness and be committed to what is right and just.
In the Responsorial
Psalm for today, we pray, "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me
Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior.
Remember that Your compassion, O Lord, and Your love are from of old. The sins
of my youth and my frailties remember not; in Your kindness remember me,
because of Your goodness, O Lord" (Ps 25:4 - 7).
We base our whole
life on this trust. We trust that God will never fail His children. This is our
faith and this is our boast. He never fails and will not make us lose face. God
offers each of us the greatest treasures possible: unending peace, joy,
happiness and eternal life with Him. We can only lose these treasures if we
refuse the grace God offers us to follow in His way of truth and righteousness.
We truly need a personal relationship with Him on our journey!