I am fortunate in that in my formation as a Christian, I spent 9 months in Catechesis through my RCIA class. The class was a gift that provided to me a solid foundation. Since that time, I learned that the end of RCIA (and my entrance into the Church) was only a start. Continued prayer and study are part of a viable faith life.
Today’s Gospel reading of Parable of Two Sons reminds me of one of the most important concepts I learned is free will or as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) calls it, “Man’s Freedom”. Article 3 (paragraphs 1730-1748) describes the concept. Here’s the first paragraph that explains the position of the Church on our free will:
| 1730 God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions. “God willed that man should be ‘left in the hand of his own counsel,’ so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him.”
Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master over his acts. |
We see the exercise of free will in the Parable of Two Sons when Jesus said,
“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?”
This is a tricky parable. Both sons were disobedient but their actions are different. The first son changed his mind and decided to do his father’s will. The second agreed to do his father’s will but did not actually do it.
Does this sound familiar?
The Pharisees are chastised by Jesus because they are like the second son and he said to them:
“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.”
The tax collectors and prostitutes who did change their mind (upon hearing the teachings of Jesus) “ entering the Kingdom of God before you (Pharisees)” – meaning that the will receive salvation while the Pharisees, who did not change their minds, will not (ever) receive salvation – unless or until they change their minds and accept that Jesus is the son of God.
We all have free will to chose a life devoted to God or one or more gods.Given a choice, do I choose God faithfully out of my own volition or from a sense of duty, obligation or fear?
I experience true freedom when I willingly give myself to God. I pray to make that choice regularly and without reservation.
Today’s Notes
- Day 13 of Advent
- Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Lucy, martyr and virgin.
- Watch a video reflection on today’s scripture readings.
- Pray the Rosary!
- Follow me on Twitter: @cinhosa
- Find me on Facebook
Related articles
- What is Catechesis? (catholicnewsagency.com)
- Do this one thing to be good (cinhosa.wordpress.com)
Very nice article, I feel praying a very healthy habit. i
I wrote a blog about fading Christianity through demographics
Check it out, kinda mind blowing:
http://zazenlife.com/2011/11/29/how-demographics-are-changing-the-worlds-culture/
Posted by nyrdubs | December 13, 2011, 4:30 pm