In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus presents the parable of the two sons to the chief priests and elders. In the story, a father orders his first son to go work in the vineyard, but the son says he will not go. The son later changes his mind and goes. The second son agrees to work when his father orders him to do so, but never actually goes. Jesus asks the religious leaders which of the two men did his father’s will and they correctly answer that it was the first son. After this, Jesus says to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him” (Matthew 21:31-32).

This passage reminds me of our responsibility as Catholics to perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Of course, this is always important, however, it is especially important during Advent. During this season, we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord. It seems simple when phrased in that way, but amidst the stress induced by the end of the semester and the busyness of the holidays, it is easy to lose track of the real reason for the season: Christ. This is why, I pray, we realize that the parable of the two sons was not just offered to the chief priests and elders, but that it is offered to each of us. This Advent, to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, the Son sent to atone for our sins, we must return to the Sacrament of Penance.