Mt. 21:28-32
The Gospel account reminds me of the once popular expression: “walk your talk.” We read, “the man came to his first son and said to him, Son, go work today in the vineyard. But his first son replied, I will not.” Later, the son reconsidered. The man came to the second and made the same request. But the second son gave the opposite response of his brother. The second son told his father “I will go, sir.” However, he didn’t go. Sometimes we are quick to say “Yes” to God, but later become distracted by other options.
Jesus asks us to think about whether our words and actions are “in sync.” Talk is cheap. It is more difficult to follow through on our words with time, effort and action. Similarly, it is not enough to praise God with our lips on Sundays or even at Daily Mass. Yes, our words are important; however, people will believe us not based on what we say we will do, but what we actually do. Jesus values how we put our words into practice. Even small actions can have a far-reaching effect.
In this Gospel reading, we see that neither son was perfect; however, the first son ultimately obeyed his father and went to work in the vineyard. His initial “No” was not the end of the story, nor does it have to be ours. Our God is patient, persistent and forgiving.
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz
