‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” 29He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father* went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For 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 after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (Matthew 21:28-32 NRSV)
This week is the Creating Change conference in Dallas, Texas (USA). This conference, organized and hosted by NGLTF, "is the [US] nation's pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement." Thanks to one of our local campaigns, WJD will be present there.
We all experience change. Sometimes we change for the better and, unfortunately, sometimes we change for the worse. The parable Jesus told offers us examples of both. One son changed his mind and went, the other changed his mind and didn't go. Prominent in the parable's message is that the one who went, regardless of his first response, did honor his father. Likewise, those of us receptive and willing to change have the chance to do the same.
Creating Change is not primarily a religious conference. Yet, by being present, God's faithful enjoy the privilege to bring change and receive change to better themselves and our world. As you go about your work this week, stop every now and again and offer a prayer to God (an example is below) about the changes effected in Dallas. May good be the resounding change that echoes from those halls and into your (our) life.
Blessings,
~WJD Team
PRAYER
Holy and Most High Counsellor, You ask us to change toward Your will, to offer ourselves to the greatness to which You call us. As our siblings gather this week, fill their hearts with the change You would have for them. Embolden them with the courage and strength to bring that change to the rest of the world. Infuse us with passion to make the changes happen. As we, in our small corner of Your vast creation, ask the question "Would Jesus Discriminate?", honor us with insight and gospel about the whole of Your diverse creation: human. We are in Your sight and yearning to be of Your mind. Amen.