Daily Readings: Psalm 126; Habakkuk 313-19; Matthew 21:28-32

[Jesus said] “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of the 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. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.” Matthew 21:28-32, NRSV

The ones who are supposed to recognize holiness when they see it either don’t see it or don’t let it affect their lives. It’s the ones whose lives are a mess, either due to their own choices or circumstances beyond their control, that see their second chance at a holy life for what it is and grab it with both hands.

Do you have to be on your second chance, to regret throwing away your first chance, to change your heart and mind and run for the vineyard as fast as your feet will take you? No. But it seems spending some time in the school of hard knocks is pretty common for the citizens of the Kingdom of Second Chances.