SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

You did not later change your minds and believe him. 

If you had to summarize Jesus’ parable in one line, it might be this: repentance requires a change of mind and heart. That’s what happened to the first son; he said no when his father asked him to work in the vineyard, but then he reconsidered and went. Like the son in this story, the “tax collectors and prostitutes” had heard John’s words about righteousness, and they turned away from sin and placed their faith in God (Matthew 21:32).

Why was it so difficult, then, for the elders and scribes to shift their thinking so that they could believe John’s message—and Jesus’ after him? The truth is, we all struggle with adopting new perspectives. It’s so much easier and more comfortable to stand on the firm ground of our current beliefs than it is to risk the churning seas of uncertainty and change. But unless we are open and teachable, God won’t be able to move us to think more in line with him.

Being open to a new perspective also requires humility. A change of mind forces us to confront our weaknesses and false assumptions. As painful as that can be, it shouldn’t surprise us. Our human judgment can easily be clouded by the fleeting values of the world, the false accusations of the devil, and our past experiences of sin. All kinds of influences can derail our thinking until we “miss the mark” altogether.

So how can we better listen to God and allow him to transform our thinking? First, we can humbly ask the Lord in prayer to show us where we need to change our perspective. That can lead to repentance, or simply to a different way of viewing another person, a relationship, or a situation.

Second, we can keep in mind this promise from the Lord: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). The more we understand this truth, the more we will be open to discovering God’s ways of thinking and seeing. That discovery may just convince us that we need a change of heart and mind—and that God will help us make that change!

“Jesus, help me let go of any ways of thinking that are not in line with your ways.”

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23
Matthew 21:28-32