Homily – Tuesday, 3rd Week of Advent “Saying Yes — and Meaning It”

Today’s readings speak very plainly.
They are not complicated.
But they are uncomfortable — in the right way.

They ask one simple question:
Do we actually do what God asks, or do we only talk about it?

The first reading from Zephaniah begins harshly:

“She listens to no voice,
she accepts no correction,
she does not trust in the Lord.”

This is not about ignorance.
It is about refusal.

Jerusalem knows God.
She has the Law.
She has the prophets.
But she will not listen.

And yet the reading does not end in condemnation.

God promises something astonishing:

“I will leave in your midst a humble and lowly people.”

Salvation does not come through the proud,
the loud,
or the self-assured.

It comes through the humble —
those who know they need mercy.

That is already Advent language.

Jesus then tells a short, sharp parable.

A father asks two sons to work in his vineyard.

The first says, “No,”
but later changes his mind and goes.

The second says, “Yes,”
but does not go.

Jesus asks the obvious question:
Which one did the father’s will?

The answer is clear.

Not the one who spoke nicely,
but the one who repented and acted.

Advent is not about sounding religious.
It is about conversion.

It is very easy to say “yes” to God with our words:
“Yes, Lord, I believe.”
“Yes, Lord, I’m a Catholic.”
“Yes, Lord, Christmas matters.”

But Advent asks a sharper question:
Does my life actually move when God speaks?

The first son is not impressive.
He is honest — and then he changes.

That is repentance.

And repentance is always more pleasing to God
than polite promises that go nowhere.

Jesus then says something that stuns His listeners:

“Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you.”

Why?

Not because they were morally better.
But because they repented.

They listened.
They accepted correction.
They changed direction.

That links us straight back to Zephaniah.

God is not looking for flawless people.
He is looking for humble hearts.

People who stop arguing.
Stop pretending.
Stop resisting grace.

This is actually very good news.

It means that past failure is not the end.
It means that a bad start does not cancel a good finish.
It means that God’s mercy is real —
but it must be received.

Advent tells us this clearly:
it is never too late to change direction,
but it is dangerous to delay.

Saying “yes” later is still possible.
But saying “yes” never is not.

Today’s readings give us a choice.

We can be the son who says all the right things
and never moves.

Or we can be the son who struggles,
repents,
and obeys.

God does not need perfect words.
He wants a willing heart.

As Christmas approaches,
the question is simple:

When God speaks to me — do I argue, or do I go?