OBEDIENCE TO GOD

The Gospel of Matthew (21:28-32) narrates the parable of the two sons who are called by their father to work in his vineyard. It is a story of two responses to God’s call. It is about the urgent need to belong to God’s heavenly kingdom. It is about the necessity of making a continual yes to the saving act of God. It is also a call to experience the joy of working in the vineyard of the Lord. The first son initially said no but changed his mind and did what the father had called him to do. The second son said yes but then failed to follow through. The first son points to the tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners who were considered outcast, outsiders and marginalized but showed obedience, openness and receptivity to God’s call of repentance. They experienced a radical transformation in their lives. They listened to Jesus and responded positively. The second son refers to the chief priests, elders and religious leaders who were disobedient, blind, close, self righteous and arrogant. Their disobedience was rooted in their spiritual pride that made it impossible for them to recognize that they too were sinners and in need of God’s forgiveness and mercy. This parable tells us that belief should be accompanied by changes in our way of life. Faith that does not result in behavioral change is not true faith. Jesus opens the door widely to tax collectors and prostitutes because they showed humility and openness to God’s offer of salvation proclaimed by Jesus. He does not condone sins but offers healing, wholeness and transformation. The lesson that we can get from the parable of the two sons is that we can never be complacent about our relationship with God. We can fall away from our commitment to Jesus and to His gospel. His love and grace are always available but they can also be rejected. No matter how far we have strayed from God, it is never too late to turn back. Salvation is today and not tomorrow. Sin is a refusal to respond to God loving us. It brings its own inevitable punishment. God does not need to punish us. We do that by our own choices. Sin brings nothing but pain and loss. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Therefore, the Gospel’s vision of life is totally human and totally in harmony with our deepest aspirations and desires. We are called to rely on God alone, the only way to be strong and to be fully alive.