Daily Gospel Reflection for December 14, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Cathy G. Knipper

Today's Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Who among us hasn’t heard this and thought of the unfulfilled promises we said we would do but somehow never got around to? I am guilty of this.

What causes us to jump in with a “yes,” when we know the task is not something we can fulfill? We can mask our excuses by calling it a need for acceptance and approval or a desire to please, but at the root of it all is the sin of pride.
Pride makes us say and do things to inflate ourselves in the eyes of others, and it always leads to disappointment.

When we say yes and do not do as promised, we disappoint even more than we would have by saying no in the first place. It can happen at work, at home or out in the community, but it always produces the same results—hollow promises that harm the very people we wish to impress, or in its worst cases, those we love and our God.
Sometimes we say yes without thinking, and then the task turns out to be overwhelming, or life gets in the way. Sometimes it is intentional. We want to be included. Then our self-doubt or selfish needs get in the way, and the task gets pushed aside or done half-heartedly. Selfishness and pride become our downfall.

God asks for our “yes” to mean “yes” and our “no” to mean “no.” If we say yes to the Lord and follow His Will then we will be treasured workers in the vineyard. God will not ask of us more than we can do. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide our choices so when the Lord calls, we can say “yes,” and then rise to the task.

Ponder:

Does my life reflect the actions of the first son or the second son? How can I be a faithful servant of action?

Pray:

Lord, let my yes to You always be sincere. Help me to answer Your call with a firm resolve to do Your will.

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Pride makes us say and do things to inflate ourselves in the eyes of others, and it always leads to disappointment. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Cathy G. Knipper

Cathy G. Knipper is a Catholic wife and mother to three adult children and two sons-in-law who came to her fully-grown. She is a farmer’s daughter, and former journalist turned freelance book publicist. She writes for various online and print publications. She blogs at http://awordinprogress.com/