Matthew 21: 28-32
By Jerome Sabatowich
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter God’s kingdom before the chief priests and elders. As you can imagine, the chief priest and elders were probably not very happy when they heard this.
As the spiritual leader of the Jewish people, the chief priest officiated at worship services on Jewish holy days, was the main religious teacher, and had the responsibility of protecting the Jewish law. Because the chief priest represented the entire community, the Jews believed he should be holier than anyone else.
The elders were older Jewish men respected for their wisdom. They usually made up the town council, the city’s main governing body. Also known as the Sanhedrin, the town council passed laws enforced these laws and even tried those who were accused of breaking the laws. The Jerusalem Sanhedrin is the group that arrested Jesus and determined he should die.
So, it happens Jesus was aiming his comments at the Jewish people’s religious leaders, who were regarded as
very holy men and were supposed to be an example to the ordinary Jew. Because of their holiness, most people believed the chief priest and elders would occupy the places of honor in God’s Kingdom.
The tax collectors and the prostitutes were the exact opposite. As public sinners, despised by their fellow Jews, they were to occupy the lowliest spots if they ever made it to the kingdom of heaven. They certainly weren’t in the same league as the chief priest and the elders.
We are now ready to understand the meaning of Jesus’ comments. The chief priests and the elders said they were holy, but like the son in the first parable, they did not back up their words with action. They refused to repent when John the Baptist urged them to do so.
The tax collectors and prostitutes who accepted John’s teaching and reformed their lives are like the second son who ended up doing his father’s will. Because of this, Jesus says they (not the chief priest and the elders) will have a prominent place in the kingdom of heaven, implying that the tax collectors and prostitutes are holier than the chief priest and elders. As you can imagine, Jesus angered the Jewish leaders so much they began to look for a way to put him to death.
For Reflection: The saying “actions speak louder than words” can sum up today’s Gospel reading. You say you believe in Jesus. What are some of the actions that back up these words? Be specific.