Many of the parables of Jesus were meant to disturb, not merely to cast light but to burn. How can any teaching penetrate barriers erected by self-righteousness, smugness and complacency. A simple parable offers a story that cannot be denied; people are made to do their own thinking.

Which of them did the Father’s will? They (and we) know the answer.  The Lord’s story is so simple that it belongs to all time. John the Baptist is held up as an example of true righteousness  or conformity to the Father's will.

Complacency defends itself by erecting barriers which keep out the harsher sides of reality. The favourite defense system of the Pharisees was the law. Some precept or other could always be found to justify escaping from the painful demands of charity. Who among us can honestly say that he or she has not at times involved a pharisaical excuse to justify our non-action when charity makes a demand on us.

I’m too busy right now .. That’s not my responsibility … This is a dangerous precedent, we don’t know where it will end up. Rules, church laws are wrongly blamed for our own lack of initiative or response.

A true contemplative is missionary and always represents a challenge to the values and lifestyle of the world. Sadly prayer is sometimes used as an excuse for shirking the painful demands of charity.

Today there are anonymous Christians who profess no church membership but who live according to the light of conscience; are good neighbours and they are very close to the kingdom of heaven. In their own way they are doing the work on God’s farm. Conversely there are Church members whose lives are an utter contradiction of the values of the kingdom.

There are many who are making their way into the kingdom although they are not of the Church. And there are many of the Church who may not belong to the kingdom.               

From the writings of Sylvester O’Flynn OFM Cap.