Do your actions back up your words?

OUR ACTIONS MUST BACK UP OUR WORDS

Mt. 21:28-32

Jesus and the chief priests and elders were at odds.  One day He confronted them.  He wanted to know what they thought about the story He was about to tell them.  A vineyard owner had two sons.  A job needed doing.  When the father asked help from his first son the response was an outright refusal.  We wonder how he could speak to his father like that?  He told him bluntly he had no intention of working for him.  He could have given a reason for being unable to help, and been a little more polite.  Perhaps he had plans to do something different.  He went away and then gave his brusque reply some thought.  That was not the way he should have answered him.  He really did love his father so he did what he asked him to do. 

When the father got a definite ‘No’ from his first son he asked his second son for assistance.  Immediately he agreed to do the work, but without the slightest intention of doing it.  His quick response made him look good in his father’s eyes.  His words were pure hypocrisy, an attempt to make himself sound like a loyal son.

Jesus addressed this parable to the chief priests and elders the week before He was to be crucified.  They represented the son who said ‘Yes’.  Their religion was all show.  They never really loved God.  They had convinced themselves that, as long as they carried out the letter of the law, God would be pleased with them.  God had sent them John the Baptist with the message to repent and they had ignored him.  No one was going to teach them what to do.

The first son was truly repentant of his brusque refusal and went and worked in his father’s vineyard.  He did not offer an apology, or make a promise of good behaviour; he did far better, he went about his father’s business without more ado.  The second son simply “did not go.”  His fine phrases and fair promises were deceitful.   He represents easy going, self-complacent people, who think they are virtuous.  They make promises quickly, expressing warm feelings and good intentions but don’t commit themselves.   Jesus asked the religious leaders, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”  In answering, “The first,” Jesus compels them to realize and even to declare their own guilt.

Jesus shows frankness in His interpretation of the parable, “I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.  For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.   Even after seeing that you refused to think better of it and believe in him.”  Jesus begins His interpretation of the parable with an emphatic statement indicating that what He is to say is something important.  “I tell you solemnly.”  He makes it quite clear that the religious leaders are the rebellious second son.  Here for the first time our Lord makes an open, personal application of a parable to the Jewish authorities.  Much to their chagrin He declares that the repentant tax collectors and prostitutes are the obedient first son. 

Both sons brought dishonour to the father, the first by his words, the second by his deeds.  Merely saying the right words does not ensure entry into the kingdom of heaven.  Our actions must match our words. 

What about us?  All of us have made a commitment to God and said ‘I do.’  Through our baptismal promises we gave our allegiance to the Lord.  Through our Confirmation we renewed those promises.  Married couples follow up this commitment when they promise to lead unselfish lives.  Religious and priests also follow up their commitment when they vow to make God the centre of their lives. 

This parable is a warning to all those who show lip-service to the Father - they may be regular churchgoers, they may even be priests and religious - who do not in the end obey His Word and serve Him but please themselves.  We learn that faith does not only consist in a person reciting a creed, but it also includes something greater and deeper:  denying oneself and committing one’s whole life to God. 

Lord Jesus, this parable gives hope to us sinners who repent, obey and serve the Father.  He is infinitely willing to receive penitent sinners.  It matters nothing what a man has been in time past.  What matters is:  does he repent, and come to You? 

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