Readings: Zephaniah 3.1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34; Matthew 21.28-32
Our first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah, who calls the chosen people back to the covenant. They have been influenced by the tribes around them and have gone away from the First Commandment. Only a small group of people will remain faithful to Yahweh, and they will be called the remnant of Israel. They are the poor, left behind in the capture of the Holy City Jerusalem because they were of no use to the captors. God will protect them and the promise of the Lord will be kept through them.
In the responsorial psalm, the remnant is given the answer to their prayers: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” He is our redeemer and will save us.
In the Gospel we have the story of the two sons. One says ‘yes,’ he will go and obey his father, but he does not go. The other son says ‘No’ to his father, but then goes and obeys. Those two sons are like us when we hear the word of God and say yes but do not keep it, or like when we hear the word of God, say no to his will, but then change our mind and put the words into practice. Each day we need to make a choice. Do we say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the will of God?