Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ accordng to Matthew 21, 28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion? 
A man had two sons. 
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?” 
They answered, “The first.” 
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you. 
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did. 
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

There’s always a hitch

1. The Temple. Cultivating a life of prayer is essential. I want to emphasize this because taking time for prayer or spending even a moment alone with Jesus in church, truly matters. Even if it’s just a short visit, those few moments can bring great comfort to your heart. I understand life moves quickly and we’re often busy, but even a quick stop to greet Christ in the Eucharist can make a difference. If you’re able, spend a short while in silent reflection, saying nothing. You’ll notice how God’s love finds its way deep into your heart.

2. Authority. Jesus teaches through consistency, coherence and experience. These are qualities we should strive to develop. I often find consistency difficult, but it’s something worth pursuing, as it gives real significance to our words. Parents will relate to this: you can tell your children countless things, but what they observe in your actions leaves a lasting impression. As a priest, this rings especially true for me.

3. Astuteness. Jesus is brilliant. He displays remarkable wisdom in handling every situation. We, too, need to be thoughtful and discerning—especially today, when being a Christian, a catechist, or someone consecrated often attracts criticism. Practice patience instead of reacting with anger. Be shrewd and perceptive, listen carefully, and know when to remain silent. For example, when I recently met up with my soccer friends, the conversation turned to questions and jokes about the Church. I responded to some comments with clear, logical answers, laughed along with some jokes, even making some jokes myself, and chose silence at times when responding would be pointless. By the end, everyone felt good. So, resist the urge to complain or get angry immediately. It won’t help. Learn to be discerning and astute.

Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.