I WILL NOT…

Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13

1 Woe to her that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! 2 She listens to no voice, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God. 9 “Yea, at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering.11″On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain.12 For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD,13 those who are left in Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall pasture and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Matthew 21:28-32

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he repented and went.30 And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.  

MEDITATION

ZEPHANIAH foresee a tidal change when those who are hard of hearing, uncooperative and not trusting in God will have a change of heart and mind. The prophet posit that God will establish a universal or ‘catholic’ believing (v10) community that shall make no distinction between the peoples of the world. This universal community will have no place for lies, dishonesty, vanity, arrogance nor fear, because the Church shall share a common faith with a common shepherd.

THE GOSPEL READING: Jesus continue His discourse with the temple chief priests who not only dismissed John the Baptists prophetic apostolate, but they also questioned Christ’s authority to teach and consecrate the temple that was desecrated. Finally, our Lord tell a story with a self-evident answer, hoping that the officials will recognize truth and have a change of heart and mind! 

Catec 851…It is from God’s love for all men that the Church in every age receives both the obligation and the vigor of her missionary dynamism, “for the love of Christ urges us on.” Indeed, God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”;… Salvation is found in the truth. Those who obey the prompting of the Spirit of truth are already on the way of salvation. But the Church, to whom this truth has been entrusted, must go out to meet their desire, so as to bring them the truth. Because she believes in God’s universal plan of salvation, the Church must be missionary.

Throughout the ages many a man and women have submitted to the Church to labour in the vineyard and proclaim and live the gospel truths to the extent that they offered their lives in submission to Christ and His Church. We are called to say ‘yes’ to the gospel message of Christ Jesus as handed on and faithfully taught by those whom He ordained and send.Mt 28:19-20; Jn 20:21-22 To say ‘i will not’ submit to the Church and her apostolic teachings, is to shipwreck our salvation!

LET US PRAY:Psalms 34:2-3,6-7,17-19
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER 
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.