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There was a time when I was a little envious of the newly baptised. They were so alive in their new found faith in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Such that they were often seen in many if not all our parish activities! Those well formed by dedicated disciples and spirtual directors in their RCIA journey would readily share their conversion stories with all they came into contact with. And if you spend time listening to their own personal conversion stories many were like the first son in today’s Gospel. Very rarely did any one of them have an instant conversion experience like St Paul. Often they rejected the idea of Jesus, some led rather sinful lives while others felt their lives were meaningless and empty. And again others tried looking for peace, love and joy in the world but never found it. In an obscure sense they were like prodigal sons and daughters. Then some thought better of it while some were touched by the lives of the faithful and decided to follow Jesus, they now lovingly work for joy in His vineyard!

What about us? Are we not the 2nd son? We say Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes YES LORD! But what do we have to show for ourselves? How much have we grown in our faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ? How much have we grown in our fraternal love for one another? How many lives have we touched through our corporal and spiritual acts of mercy? How many souls have we saved? How can we be fruitful for Him when we refuse to work in His Vineyard?

Sweet saviour our Lord Jesus we thank you for the opportunity to work in your vineyard through which we remain fully connected to You. For you have told us that you are the Vine and we are Your branches. Through Your loving grace shall be fruitful for Your Kingdom. Amen

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First reading
Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13
All peoples shall invoke the Lord’s name and serve him

Trouble is coming to the rebellious, the defiled,
the tyrannical city!
She would never listen to the call,
would never learn the lesson;
she has never trusted in the Lord,
never drawn near to her God.

Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean,
so that all may invoke the name of the Lord
and serve him under the same yoke.
From beyond the banks of the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants
will bring me offerings.

When that day comes
you need feel no shame for all the misdeeds
you have committed against me,
for I will remove your proud boasters
from your midst;
and you will cease to strut
on my holy mountain.
In your midst I will leave
a humble and lowly people,
and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong,
will tell no lies;
and the perjured tongue will no longer
be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest
with no one to disturb them.

Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’