One of the greatest complements given to any person is that they are a person of integrity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines integrity as the “steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.” The definition I really like is in Wikipedia, “integrity is consistency between one's actions, values, methods, measures and principles.” The opposite of integrity is hypocrisy.
In today’s gospel, Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus presents the chief priests, scribes and elders of the temple with the story of a man and his two disappointing sons. Neither son is a person of integrity. The first son is rude and disrespectful to his father although in the end he does what the father asks. The second son politely lies and then ignores his father’s request. He is a hypocrite.
Jesus tells this story after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem and after he drove the money changers out of the temple. The chief priests, scribes and elders of the temple confront him, questioning his authority. St. Matthew tells us that “they were indignant” (Mt. 21:15). Jesus in turn confronts them with their lack of faith and refusal to repent. They did not believe the message of John the Baptist nor do they believe the message of Jesus. The people who heard, believed and repented were the tax collectors and prostitutes; the notorious sinners. Like the first son in this story, they openly chose to live sinful lives, but changed their minds and changed their lives. And so the tax collectors and prostitutes are “are entering the kingdom of God” before the chief priests, scribes and elders.
Although the notorious sinners in this story do get into the Kingdom of God, they are not stellar examples for us as Christians. Our role model is Jesus. In today’s second reading from the 2nd Chapter of Philippians, St. Paul tells us to “have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” We are to “Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine like lights in the world….”
Father in heaven,
Form in us the likeness of your Son
And deepen his life within us.
Send us as witnesses of gospel joy
Into a world of fragile peace and broken promises.
Touch the hearts of all people with your love
That they in turn may love one another.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
