DOUBLE
TALK, DOUBLE DEALING.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME.
YEAR A.
September 28, 2008.
(First reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28) (Psalm 25:4-9)
(Second reading: Philippians 2:1-11) (Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32).
DOUBLE TALK, DOUBLE DEALING.
The Parable of the Two Sons tells
us that one of them says he will do his father's will, but doesn't do
it. The powerful tyrant of the world follows the conduct of the wicked
son; he claim to be willing to do the Lord's will but does the opposite.
What does it mean to do the will of the Lord?
Saint Paul in his Letter to the Philippians says that to do the will
of God consists in "being of
the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing",
united in spirit and ideals, doing "nothing out of selfishness
or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regarding others as more important
than [oneself], each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone
for those of others" (Phi 2:2-4).
Paul continues saying that Jesus sets the example of how to do the will
of the Father: "Have among yourselves
the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he
was in the form of God... emptied himself, taking the form of a slave
[a servant]" (Phi 2:5-7).
It is by doing the will of God, as defined above, that we can reach
our fulfillment as human beings. Any double talk, any double dealing
will only negate the goodness to which we are called.
Double talk, double dealing attitudes are very
much prevalent in our world.
The following are some instances of such:
- Two prominent scientists
commit themselves to dedicate their talents for the benefit of mankind.
Both of them however, are offered a large amount of money from a corporation
which will use their knowledge for the benefit of a reduced group of
individuals. One takes the offer, the other doesn't. "Which
of the two did the [Lord's] will?" (Mat 21:31)
- Two leaders reach the
highest position of authority in a nation. Both of them promise to promote
peace, justice and respect for all human beings. However, a powerful
interest group demands them to wage a war in order to expand global
domination. One gives in to the demand and is declared a "true
patriot", the other doesn't and is punished as a "traitor".
"Which of the two did the [Lord's]
will?" (Mat 21:31)
In order to do the Lord's will we must stay away from double talk, double-dealing
attitudes in our relations with our fellow human beings.
