13 December 2016 - one accord

 

 [ Today's Readings ]

They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
Nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
Only the humble and the lowly can really do no wrong and speak no lies. They have allowed the LORD to purify their lips. Their secret is that they take refuge in the name of the LORD. This can be our secret as well.

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?”

Perhaps the second son intends to go at first. He might then realize just how much work there is to be done and eventually just not go. In bravado he promises what his virtue can't deliver. Maybe the first worries about these things at first and knows his weakness so he says he will not go. Maybe this initial refusal stems from a sort of humility which eventually can be transformed into a trust in the father that enables him to do the work.

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.

Perhaps not. But we can see that success here is not in promises made to protect our pride and our image. It is rather in doing the will of God. Better still would be to say we are going to from the beginning, because we trust in the Father, and then to do it, because that trust gives us strength.

This is why tax collectors and prostitutes have an advantage. They know their own weakness. They are not convinced of their our righteousness. They know their desperate need.

Let us realize our need, as well. We make many promises to the LORD that we don't entirely keep. Let us come to him to be purified. May he touch the coal to our lips as he does with Isaiah (see Isaiah 6:7). He will fill us with his Holy Spirit that we may truly serve him with one accord. No longer will we be double minded. We shall trust completely and in that trust we find peace.

They shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.