Can you imagine finding out that your neighbor—the one everyone considered a bad person—made it into Heaven? Whatever emotions or questions that might stir up in us pale in comparison to the shock Jesus causes in today’s Gospel. In His parable of the man with two sons, Jesus compares the first son—the one who initially said “no” to his father but later changed his mind and did what was asked—to tax collectors and prostitutes.
That alone would have been scandalous to His listeners. Tax collectors and prostitutes were considered the most shameful, the most morally corrupt, people of their time. Most believed they were beyond redemption—that the die had been cast, that they could not change. Like that imagined neighbor…or even someone closer to home.
Confronting Our Hearts
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He delivers an even more unsettling message—not primarily to open the minds of sinners, but to confront the hearts of the chief priests and elders, the respected religious leaders. Jesus tells them that these notorious sinners because they repented and obeyed God, are entering the Kingdom of God before them.
And He explains exactly why. When John the Baptist came calling people to repentance, the tax collectors and prostitutes listened—and it changed them. But the chief priests and elders closed their hearts. They dismissed John. And even after witnessing lives transformed, they still refused to change their minds or believe. This Gospel warns us about the danger of presumption and spiritual arrogance. And the antidote is humility.
Daily Humbling Moments
Humility isn’t just about grand spiritual moments. It shows up in ordinary, daily experiences—walking into a room and forgetting why we’re there, spilling our coffee while rushing out the door, forgetting to return a message. These small humblings remind us that we don’t have everything figured out.
The first reading reinforces this lesson by contrasting the humble with the “proud braggarts”—those who believe God’s Word applies to everyone else but themselves, who resist correction, distance themselves from God, and live in deceit.
An Invitation to Slow Down
As we continue this Advent season, preparing to celebrate the birth of our Savior—and ultimately to see Him face to face—we are invited to slow down, to listen, and to search our hearts. We’re called to review our days, to step away from the noise and distractions, and to sit in quiet long enough to remember, to reflect, and to pray.
As Fr. Pinto said yesterday, Advent is the season to adjust our focus— in how we see Jesus, how we see our families and others, and how we see ourselves…through God’s eyes.
My brothers and sisters, Jesus came to save all—including us. We are works in progress, in need of repentance and faith, and in need of a Messiah who comes not for the perfect, but for the humble, the repentant, and the open-hearted.
May we and our families be among them.
- Today’s Readings
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join, too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
