Mark, My Words: September 27, 2020
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There used to be a TV show called “What NOT to Wear, where fashion experts, Stacey and Clinton, fly a woman to New York for a “renewal” of hair, make-up, and clothing. But it’s a reality show with a difference: Painful issues arise, as women must overcome self-hatred; deal with their scars or insecurity; or admit, “I dressed like a slob because I’ve never had one minute in my life that I ever thought I was beautiful.” Most women end up saying, “I didn’t respect myself, or feel any dignity,” and “I now feel transformed inside.
Today, Jesus is urging and inviting the religious leaders to accept another form of transformation: a vision of life in which you actually practice what you preach--how refreshing! One son says “I’ll go to the vineyard” but doesn’t; and the other says, “I won’t go,” but then changes, and goes.
The Jewish leaders had said “we obey” but didn’t; while the prostitutes said “no way”, but then did follow God’s ways. This gospel is about seeking consistency between our words and our deed. But to replace an old behavior with a new one means getting rid of the “old clothes.” We have to change our exterior behavior, which triggers inner transformation. We have to empty ourselves of anything, in fact, which is not helping us live for God.
As St. Paul says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus… (who) emptied himself.” So, let us prepare for our transformation. Jesus is asking us to listen again, and do what it takes to receive our inner and outer make-over.