A Man Had Two Sons (Matthew 21:28)

"He thought better of it and went." (Matthew 21:29)

Today’s Gospel ‘parable of the two sons’ is the most common scenario in family life. Two thousand years after Jesus preached this parable, parents of today still face the same situation. Things have not changed much, and there always seems to be a black sheep in every family. Some children are very obedient others are not so. But have you ever wondered why the Father approached a particular son first and then the other? Have you stopped to ponder that if the second son was obedient why wasn’t he asked to complete the task first? Well, you don’t have to be a parent to answer that one. As mature adults we all know that when in need we first approach the one who can fulfill our need, if all else fails then we use the last resort.

In the parable, both sons had the same invitation, “go and work in the vineyard --today.” It was a one time opportunity –today! Salvation is a one time opportunity, we accept the call once, but we have to persevere till the end. In the first reading it says, “when the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin.. he dies because of the evil he himself has committed.” When we decide to change for the better we have to stick with it until the end. Every sin has a consequence. It is not God who punishes or condemns, but punishment is the consequence or result of a person’s wrong doing. The Father asks but it is we who choose to obey or disobey—its free will. The result of our choices is the consequence of our actions.

There’s a conversion in both cases: the first son repents and responds generously, the second dishonours his promise and stands condemned. The question is not whether we are like the first son or the second, because neither son’s behavior is satisfactory. They both hurt their father, if not by words then deeds. Yet, we may justify the behavior of the first son, but what God is looking at, is someone who sticks with a “Here I am Lord I come to do your will.” There is absolutely no need to be in the vineyard if one will not work. And neither is God pleased with lip service. Gregory says: “A law is laid upon the preacher to practise what he preaches.” Therefore our words and deeds should speak the same dialect.

In the second reading St. Paul says, to have a mind like Christ we must constantly think of the other person’s interest. Just as Christ emptied himself (kenosis) to become a slave for humanity, we too ought to serve one another. The Lord says, “Not everyone who says to me Lord! Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of God” (Matthew 7:21). The will of God is the acid test of true conversion. Repentance from evil ways makes it possible for one to enter the kingdom. Yes, the work in the vineyard is our very lives and our 'example is always the best sermon preached'.

“Heavenly Father, I thank you for inviting me to work for your kingdom. I pray dear Lord that I may work diligently and that my very life being the message I preach.”