A few years ago, I saw a picture of tattooed men with a caption: sometimes those with tattoos are more gentle and more real than those who wear suits. Come to think of it, a lot of times it is true. A lot of times we stereotype people – that those who come in sharp suits are the gentle, good people, while those with beards and tattoos are bad people. However, we can see in the news and in social media that a lot of those clean looking people in suits and barongs do evil things, while those rugged looking men actually do something good. This reminds us that outward appearance in not as important as the real action. This is similar to what God is reminding me today.
God looks at the final action, not the initial reaction.
God looks beyond the surface level. God looks beyond our initial reaction. In the gospel, Jesus tells us that prostitutes and sinners are of course looked in a negative way. However, more than their current state, God looks at their final actions. Though sinners, they follow John the Baptist. They were willing to change and repent, as contrast to the holy people at that time whose hearts are far from God.
This reminds us that our past do not determine our future. No sin or past mistakes can prevent God from looking at us with love, from seeing the good in us. Nothing that we did in the past can hinder God’s saving love from reaching and changing us. We just need to make the decision to choose right, to live right.
God looks at what our hearts would so. He gives us reminders snd opportunities to do things right. What's important is not our past or initial actions, but how we will respond to him as he calls us.
What is the state of my heart? Is my life consistent with how God wants me to live? What is he calling me to do? Am I willing to change and obey him right now?
May we be inspired to live right, to choose God moving forward, despite all the bad choices we have made in life.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I judge others quickly. Sorry for not waiting to know them better. And sorry for the times I lose faith in myself. Sorry for the times I think that because of my sins, because of my bad decisions, I cannot be your child anymore, that I am good for nothing anymore. Help me see myself the way you see me. And help me make the right decisions moving forward. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
December 15, 2020
3rd Week of Advent - Tuesday; St. Mary di Rosa
FIRST READING
Thus says the LORD:
Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; In the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, That they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings.
On that day You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.
Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; In the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, That they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings.
On that day You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion? 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. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
“What is your opinion? 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. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
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