Personal commitment and
responsibility is necessary for us to live a righteous life and earn salvation.
It is equally necessary for personal development and progress. If we are
committed and consistent in good, we shall achieve greatness, and salvation at
the end. But often times we fail, and withdraw our commitment. This happens
often in our moral life when we withdraw from righteousness and queue up in
immorality. The prophet Ezekiel announces that we shall take responsibility for
our actions and face their consequences. Though we easily excuse ourselves and
blame others or situations for the negative outcomes of our actions, the
message of Ezekiel indicates that God has given us a time frame to retrace our
steps. The consequences of sin is death. If a righteous man turns away and
commits iniquity, he shall die for it. “Again, when a wicked man turns away
from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he
shall save his life.”
Ezekiel’s message is further explained by the parable of the two sons. The first son refused to obey the father but later changed his mind and did what the father asked of him. The second agreed to go to the vineyard but at the end he did not go. Jesus explained that what matters is doing the will of God. The tax collectors and harlots who repented and believed are making their ways to heaven. But those who professed righteousness, like the Pharisees, but remained in iniquity shall die. So the believer must wake up to personal responsibility and align himself to the will of God.
This personal effort to responsibility and repentance is made possible by the mercy of God. If God were not merciful, no turnaround is possible! The mercy of God pulls us to repentance. That is why St Paul tells us in the second reading that the right step to personal responsibility for righteousness is to ‘participate’ in the mercy of God by emulating it in our relationship with others. “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.” We must also give others the opportunity to repent. Each person must look out for the interest of others. At this point, ‘personal responsibility’ now implies my commitment to the good and salvation of others. That is why on the last day, we shall be judged, not by what we consumed or benefited, but to the extent we were committed to the wellbeing of others in their needs (Mt 25:35-40).
The prophecy of Ezekiel and the parable of the two sons find their fulfilment in Christ Jesus. In Him the Obedient Son bore in Himself the punishment of the disobedient son. Having humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on a cross, Jesus became the living link through which the disobedient children can crossover to become obedient children. Thus, God has only one begotten Son, in whom we are ‘co-heirs’ with Him, such that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 27th,
2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
