Dcn. Rod Knight
The Blessed Virgin Mary’s fiat, that unconditional “yes Lord”, and Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane with “not my will but Yours Heavenly Father”, are both perfect examples to try and follow. Easier said than done. Abraham, Noah, Moses, Daniel, and Esther are all worthy of imitation when it comes to service to God.
In the Gospel today we read of two sons being asked by their father to go work in the vineyard. The first son says no but changes his mind and does what his father asks. The second son tells his father that he will go into the vineyard but does not. This is one of my favorite parables because it makes me uncomfortable and hits a little too close to home. I wish there was a third son who said yes and joyfully worked in the vineyard.
The first son is a representation of tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners overall who hear the Good News, the Word of God and initially reject it but then have a conversion of heart and accept God’s mercy. Is it the fear of eternal damnation (imperfect contrition) that causes the change of heart and leads the first son to the vineyard? Is it love of God and not wanting to offend Him (perfect contrition)? Either way it has the first son heading in the right direction.
The second son is a representation of the chief priests, the elders, and those who play church. Their lips say one thing and their lives say another. Think of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), the second son would be the Pharisee. Is the motivation for places of honor, self-serving and prideful?
Knowing Sacred Scripture is one thing, knowing the Author is another. Is the Word of God on our lips and not in our hearts? Are we sinners who whole heartedly turn our hearts toward God or are we self-righteous Christian pretenders only offering lip service?
Catholicism is hard, the Gospel is hard, getting through the narrow gate is hard, the truth is hard. The devil will always try to get us to take the easy way and reject the cross. Lord Jesus, help us carry the crosses You have called us to! Let our yes be yes and no be no.
Have we heard our Heavenly Father calling us to work in the vineyard? No? What about Baptism, Confirmation, or Ordination where we are called by name. In Sacred Scripture we are called by the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, also in Mark 16:15, Matthew 4:19, John 20:21 and Acts 1:8. Our daily lives are full of opportunity to do God’s work in the vineyard of the world we live in, within our community, family, Church, and our circle of influence. We should give God thanks for second (third, fourth, fifth…) chances and pray for the conversion of heart to follow the road to God’s Kingdom, rejecting selfishness, and always be listening for His call.