Posted by The WORD in other words by Fr Sonny de Rivera SVD – Rome, Italy
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
It is never too late to decide and act upon it.
“We all do things we desperately wish we could undo. But, unfortunately, those regrets just become part of who we are, along with everything else. To spend time trying to change that, well, it’s like chasing clouds.” This quote from Libba Bray I tend to disagree. It puts someone who regrets as a no-namer.
What is your biggest regret? The response to this question is a game-changer. It will bring you to a situation of learning more about life through what others have regretted doing. Real regrets are about bad choices. It is a profound sorrow about something you said or failed to do.
In the parable of the two sons, the first son is a classic example of regret. “He came to the first (son) and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterward, he changed his mind and went.” The change of mind expresses regret that is expressed in concrete action, working in the vineyard.
The gospel contains the verb to feel sorrow or regret. The feeling of regret motivated the first son to change his mind and instead go to work in the vineyard. Jesus described the chief priests and everyone who heard John’s preaching as having been offered by God the opportunity to change their minds and start living uprightly. But they lacked what the first son had an abundance: the feeling of regret and sorrow. Just like that second son, the religious leaders could have changed, but they did not take the pathway to follow God faithfully.
God offered a “second chance” to those who had taken other paths and choices. Numerous situations in the public life of Jesus attest that those who have a hard time believing that change is either possible or necessary, in the end, can experience transformation and salvation.
How about this reminder, “it is never too late to make a decision and to act upon it.” Repenting and regret are indispensable components to change. Suppose you can count the number of regrets you have in life. You can also have an equal number of opportunities that would have shaped your life for the better. It includes those close to you and forms part of your circle of life. Let us all embrace the spirit of the first son, who believes that there is always room for improvement.
