When the sinner renounces sin, he shall certainly live
Ezekiel 18:25-28
Philippians 2:1-11
Matthew 21:28-32
The word of God is good news each time we hear it. In today’s readings, the good news is particularly addressed to those who feel far from God. God is telling us that no matter what wrong you have done, no matter how much good you have failed to do, no matter how much your family, your friends and neighbors think bad of you, no matter how much guilt and remorse and shame you feel, if you reject your ways and turn back to God, God will accept you.
In the first reading, God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel and says: “When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.” In the gospel, Jesus tells his adversaries that “tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.” Tax collectors and prostitutes were among the most despised in Israel society. We can readily understand why prostitutes were despised, but what about tax collectors. Is paying tax wrong? Of course not. Every country needs taxes in order to execute the common good. But they were despised because of their corruption and because of working for an oppressive regime, the Roman empire. However, Jesus says that even these most despised categories are entering the kingdom of God because of having listened to John who preached repentance and having accepted his teaching and changed their ways.
There is abundant evidence of what Jesus said even among his disciples. In Luke 8:2 we hear named among the women who followed Jesus Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out 7 demons. This woman was privileged to be the first to see the risen Lord. Think of Zacchaeus who after conversion promised on his own to give away half his fortune, and from the remaining half, to pay back four times to anyone he had cheated. If than happened in our society, it would transform it completely overnight. There is Matthew the tax collector who became an apostle and wrote us a gospel.
Who are the tax collectors and sinners in our society today? You don’t have to look at tax organs in the country. You don’t have to look on the streets or in night clubs. We are invited to look inside ourselves. God is inviting each of us to turn away from whatever distances us from him, whatever we regret for having done or for having failed to do. God is ready to receive us back with open arms. And what if I don’t feel any particular remorse? The test whether everything is fine is the second reading. Paul says to the Philippians that the one thing that would make him perfectly happy is to see them united with one heart and mind in love. If we can rejoice in the return of sinners to God and tirelessly strive for it, then we are at peace with God. If however, the return of sinners to God makes us feel that God is unjust, then we need to pray for conversion.
The Responsorial Psalm is a wonderful prayer for conversion which all of us can make use of: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord.”
