"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

This passage hammers home the concept that to believe/have faith/trust/commit/obey is not lip service but is service. Belief is not talking about it so much as it is applying it. The two principles of the Great Commandment, honoring the LORD, God, the Almighty and loving my neighbor, require action, demand putting all my energy to the task of demonstrating that my faith has results.

What did the Pharisees see in the tax collectors and prostitutes, the scum of society, but transformed lives. But they were convinced that the arm of the LORD was too short, it was not possible for such disgusting lives to be healed. I wish they could meet some of my brothers and sisters in the prisons.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 125

Mid-day: 119:57-64

Evening: Psalm 50

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