Gospel in Art: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you

Ryan being pulled by Two Reindeer, Street art by Banksy, 2019 © Pest Control / Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 1 October 2023
Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, 'What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, "My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I will not go," but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir," but did not go. Which of the two did the father's will?' 'The first' they said. Jesus said to them, 'I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.'

Reflection the Street Art Mural

One of the themes in today's gospel reading is obedience. The first son in Jesus' parable didn't initially listen to his father, but then did become obedient. The second son listened to his father, but then wasn't obedient. Listening and obedience to God go hand in hand. The first word in the Rule of St Benedict is 'Listen'… as in 'listen to the ear of your heart'. Listening always comes first.

Both sons were loved by their father. All of us are loved by our Father. Neither of the two sons listened well and both were disobedient in their own way. Same for us, we may well listen, but then none of us are fully obedient to the Word of God. However, just like the first son in our parable, we too can repent and turn our lives around and change.

To be obedient to God isn't just blindly accepting what we have listened to. To be obedient to God is to ask in every situation, what is the loving thing to do? What would bring the most joy to the person in front of me? What good do I will for the lady at the bus stop? What care should I give for the homeless person on the street, such as Ryan in our artwork?… Obedience is all about love.

I share with you a mural which Bansky sprayed in 2019 in Birmingham, to highlight the plight of the city's homeless. When Banksy posted this work on his Instagram account, the post read: "God bless Birmingham. In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter - without him ever asking for anything." Banksy highlighted the homeless issue and also the generosity and love of walkers by towards the homeless man.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-21-28-32-2023/