Ezek. 18:25-28; Ps. 4-9; Phil.2:1-11; Mt. 21:28-32

“Actions speak louder than words.”  This is a common expression we speak when we want to make it clear we want to see some conviction in the words we hear.  In the gospel today, Jesus proclaims the right action of sinners speaks louder than the words of the chief priests and elders.  The gospel speaks to obedience to the will of the Father.  The priests and elders claim righteousness by their proclamations while their hearts are resistant to the revelation of Jesus.  The actions of “tax collectors and prostitutes” to believe and accept the words of “John” (the Baptist) opened the kingdom of heaven to them. 

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians also speaks of right action being united in heart, mind and love by looking out for the other will complete his joy in being united to Christ.  St. Paul speaks to a new commandment greater than obedience.  It reveals a deeper obligation to allow the love of Christ to dwell in us.  If Christ dwells in us then our words are confirmed by our actions.  It is no longer we who live our lives but Christ who lives in us doing the will of the Father in offering his love to the other.  What happened to our will, our identity, our freedom?  It is transformed into the perfect being without sin and our joy will be complete. 

In the secular world we speak of the “Golden Rule” by treating others as we would like to be treated.  It is a rule of equity and fairness but St. Paul speaks of a different standard by stating “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves”.  This is the standard of Christ on the cross, a sacrificial giving of ourselves so that Christ will be manifest in us and through us.  This is being of the same mind and same love “in the Spirit” of compassion and mercy. 

Ezekiel speaks to turning “from the wickedness he (sinner) has committed and does what is right and just…he shall surely live.”  Death comes from “iniquity he committed” thus sin carries death to our doorstep.  Sin carries the death of mind, body, and spirit.  When we sin against the body through indulgence, passions, and/or self abuse the body dies “a thousand deaths” slowly until it is no more capable of sustaining mortal life.  When we sin against the mind of God in our mind, we attach our thoughts to our psychological fears, obsessions, and pride to fall victim of our own thinking.  When we sin against the Spirit of God our spirit becomes invaded by other spirits of darkness and it is no longer “I” who lives but the darkness that lives in me and God no longer recognizes us.  How are we to overcome all these trials?  It begins with proclaiming “Jesus Christ is Lord”.  The word is made flesh in our being to be lived in right action.

Darkness turns to light when our tongues confess “Jesus Christ is Lord” with right action.  There is power in the Word of God.  It is the power to move us to right action.  One day as a counselor of children of abuse under the care of the State, I had a young child of eight who was in a state of depression.  She was separated from her home, her siblings, her school.  Not only had she been repeatedly molested as a child but also had a history of heart problems. 

After several meetings in which I did not see progress, I asked if she could say, “God loves me”?  She could not repeat the words.  I asked if she could say “I love myself”?  Again, she would not say those words as her whole body language appeared sunken, doing poorly in school, and having a difficult time adjusting to foster care.  Even with some coaching of positive affirmations she refused to say those statements.  I then asked her simply to repeat the words slowly after me.  It was a transformative moment.  The next session her foster mother said she was doing so much better at home and playing like a normal child. 

Words matter but actions speak louder and must reflect our words to be confirmed in the heart. In counseling people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This is the beginning of unity. Actions do speak louder when united to “thinking one thing”, Jesus Christ is Lord!  Amen.