In this time of advent, time of waiting, the Word of God comes to us speaking of one city and two sons. We are given these images as a call to true waiting – change, repentance, conversion. The reading from Zephaniah speaks of the city that does not want to hear nor change. A whole city full of rebellious, polluted, stubborn, and tyrannical people who do not trust in the Lord. This attitude of willful, stubborn unrepentance produces a terrible situation. God does not draw near to those people.
Then in the Gospel, Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and elders using the parable of the two sons. One is initially in open defiance of his father’s will while the second son seemingly in accord with his father’s will has no intention of doing the father’s will. The first son changed his mind while the second continues in his supposedly hidden disobedience.
Advent is a time of conversion, a time of internal change. These references to the Old Testament and in Jesus’ are not violent threats being offered by a violent God. These are really invitations to conversion and to deepen our relationship with God. These invitations which are expressed in the person of Jesus who takes on our flesh and is born into our life are really moments that can bring us joy.
The chief priests and elders were stuck in a legalistic relationship with God that did leave space for true holiness. At best, they were like the first son and the people in the city before a conversion – open disobedience. At the worst, they were like the second son in a willful state of obstinate disobedience trying to hide their attitude with a façade of fake goodness.
Jesus is quick to point out that the poor, the public sinners, and the most despised in the neighborhood are the ones who really listened to the Word of God from John the Baptist. They are the ones who truly changed their lives. This allowed them to enter conversion. This conversion or way of righteousness is a pre-requisite to being able to listen, to understand, and to live Jesus’ message. They are the ones who live holy lives united to God’s will.
Advent is a time of invitation to change, to conversion, and to deep renewal.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him
Image: CANVA 14DEC25 AI generated.