May We Walk the Walk – Talk the Talk

There is no question about it, Jesus was a great storyteller. Whenever he could, he would tell the people a parable. A parable is a short, simple story that teaches a moral, spiritual, or religious lesson. Often, we have to read it several times before we can figure out what it is really about.

A parable can also be likened to a story that is like a mirror that Jesus holds up to us in which we can see ourselves. The gospel for this Sunday contains such a parable.

The gospel this weekend is about hypocrisy; saying one thing and then doing the other. Now I don’t want to be unkind or too critical of politicians. However, when there is a general or local election, they do promise to do so much for us. Once elected, they realize that it is easier to talk than to do.

The parable we are given this weekend is timely and I truly think it is meant for each of us today. This gospel is held up to us so that we can look at our lives. It puts before us some challenging questions; when I am asked to do something, do I say yes and then do the very opposite? How do I behave and act? Do the words I speak match what I do and how I treat others?  These are difficult questions that Jesus puts to each of us through the parable this weekend.

St Francis of Assisi whose Feast Day we celebrate Sunday, October 4th is quoted as saying “preach the Gospel, if necessary, use words”. This coming week may we have the courage to ask God to help us to put our faith into real concrete action. Hopefully we will not be like the second son in the gospel who said one thing and then did the opposite.