Allowing, Not Achieving
In last Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 21:28-32) reading, we were presented with the example of the two sons.
These sons represent the two ways we approach life and our spiritual journey. On the one hand, we seek to preserve our individuality and strive for freedom and control; and on the other, we seek to belong to something greater than ourselves. On the one hand, we want to come to God on our terms, and on the other, we yield to the will of God.
St. Paul (Romans 1:16-17) taught us that our salvation comes by allowing, not achieving. Asking the question, “What must I do to be saved?” is much like an airplane passenger asking what he must do to keep the airplane in flight. The answer is always — nothing. Sit back, relax, put your faith in the pilot and enjoy the trip. The same is true of our spiritual journey: sit back, relax, put your faith in God and enjoy the trip.
Jesus tells us that it is the yielding types, those who know their weaknesses and sinfulness — like the prostitutes and tax collectors — who are more likely to be awakened to their spiritual needs than are the struggling, resisting types who are trying to achieve their way into the Kingdom of Heaven by their strength rather than allowing themselves to be lifted into the Kingdom by the power of God.
Jesus underscored what He said by what He did. He “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” (Philippians 2:7) He fulfilled his destiny through yielding and surrendering to God’s will. If we want to follow Christ, we must do the same. The elders and chief priests believed that the way to God — the secret to unlocking His power for their benefit — was through their self-assertive struggle to fulfill the Law. Jesus says, “No!” Surrender to God’s will is the true path to the Kingdom. When we say, “I will go!” and mean it, we will find Him waiting for us on the road.
