Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Ezekiel 18.1–4, 25–end Philippians 2.1–13 Matthew 21.23–32

Today we hear of two conflicts with the religious authorities. This was with the chief priests, the elders of the people, Pharisees, Herodians and the Sadducees. How do we reflect upon these two conflicts looking with our own eyes today.

I will look at the second of the conflicts, where a man has two sons. When asked to do a task the first son said that he would not do as asked, then he went away to actually do as he had been asked to do in the first place, whilst the second son readily agreed to do the work that had been directed at him, but instead did his own thing ignoring the request made to him. Which son did the right thing? And which son do we think we identify with?

Many are the times when we make, or are called to make, a promise. It may be to do a task or it may be a promise made as part of a commitment. These promises may be made in complete determination to hold to them for as long as required. But sometimes these promises are made with crossed fingers. What place do crossed fingers have in society. All that they do is put a condition on the on the promise being made. ‘Yes, I will accede to your request and go off and put it into practise’, when in actual fact the intention is to go away and have nothing to do with what has been asked of you, and go and do your own sweet will. Crossed fingers are seen as a get out clause.

When, or if, you are involved in making solemn promises then there can be no place for the crossed fingers. These promises are binding upon us. We are required to hold by them. Many of us would have taken promises under the solemn umbrella. A court of law requires witnesses to swear on the Bible, for instance, that the evidence that is given will be the truth. There's no place here for possibly telling the truth or speak with your fingers crossed behind your backs.

There are other occasions where promises have been made without really thinking about what is being promise. For instance, the role of being a Godparent is a demanding role and cannot be taken with fingers crossed. The promises that are being made are ones that have lifelong effect on another. There are other promises also made in a similar vein. Which of the two sons do we copy when we are making these promises. Are we like the first son who said that he would not do as asked, then he went away to actually do as he had been asked to do in the first place. Or are we like the second son who readily agreed to do the work that had been directed at him, but instead did his own thing ignoring the request made to him. Time to look now at ourselves and to determine which type of son we are. Remember that whichever way we turn we are all still God’s children.

Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Almighty God,

you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:

pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,

and so bring us at last to your heavenly city

where we shall see you face to face;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.