Which Son Are You? (26th Sunday, Year A)

For all of you in church who are parents, this parable of Jesus probably resonates with your own experience of raising children. His story gives the scenario of two children, asked by their father to do work in his vineyard. The first son is defiant, “no way, Jose” he says, but later changes his mind and does what his dad asks. The second son is a smooth talker and when asked, says, “sure Dad”, but never does the work. If you have raised children, you have likely seen the actions of both sons unfold before your eyes. Even if you are not a parent, growing up, each of us probably played the part of both sons.

This parable has, of course, a historical context. In today’s gospel, the vineyard stands for God’s people and the two sons represent those who are called to care for them. The second son represents the established religion of Jesus’ time, exemplified in the skeptical scribes and pharisees. As often happens in such cases, the religious leaders of that time paid lip-service to God but, when Jesus came in a way they did not expect, they were unable to accept the mysterious ways of God, 

The first son stands for the “outsiders”; including non-Jewish people, who had been accustomed to saying “No” to God but, having been humbled by their experience of sinfulness, were receptive to the challenge of Jesus. They were joined by “tax collectors and prostitutes” who, though despised by the religious types of that time, were humble and open to the message of Jesus. The point is that pride and smugness are far greater obstacles to true conversion than a sinful past ready for repentance. 

And so here is the thing for us to notice. What the NO-saying son says is contrary to God’s will. But what he does is inline with it. It is the other way around with the YES-saying son. The words of the YES-saying son are obedient to God’s will, but his actions are in opposition to it. The words of the YES-saying son are empty. His life, not his words, tell the real truth about his relationship to his father. The truth is that the YES-saying son rejects God’s will, however much acceptance appears to be in his words.

One of the great hallmarks of Jesus’ preaching is that even though it is set in a historical context, it reaches across generations and cultures. The Lord’s challenge to the scribes and pharisees is also directed at us. Today’s parable demands that we consider the question, “which son am I?” One who says “no” to God’s face but then repents and does what he wants? Or have I been the one who says “yes” to God’s face but in my heart I never do what he asks? How can we really know? 

It is best to reflect on these questions trusting that even though we may not be perfect sons and daughters of God, his mercy is always waiting for us. As modern-day Christians we must consider:

Are we ones who can recite the creed - ones who have our children baptized and taught the Faith - maybe we even work in the church and do much that seems holy - and yet do not really see and believe that God is working in and around us, just as the chief priests refused to believe God was working in John the Baptist or in Jesus the Son of Joseph and Mary?

Are we familiar with religion but unacquainted with faith and what it requires of us in our hearts, our heads, our attitudes, and our actions? Do we understand what faith requires of us and what it does for us? Is our faith stagnant, comfortable, and largely confined to an hour each weekend?

Or are we the ones who said at first - no way God - forget it; you don't even exist - and if you do - you aren't what I want in a God - I have better things to do than pray and read that Bible with all its rules and regulations, its wars and woes, its contradictions and craziness.

Are we the ones who led a life that was clearly wrong: ones who cheated, lied, stole, drank, gossiped and tried to experience every pleasure regardless of the consequences? But then changed our minds after listening to our pain and emptiness, and to the voice promising forgiveness and wholeness that comes from Heaven, through people sent by God?

Or, are we somewhere in between? Children of God who try hard some days to be faithful and on other days let our hardness of heart, our selfishness, our unwillingness to see God and listen to God in our daily routines get the better of us?

That is the profit of this passage for us; asking who we are and what needs to be done. The good news is it’s possible to change one's mind; it’s never too late, as long as we are alive, to become a child destined to see and enter the Kingdom of God. Today it’s not too late to get right with God, it’s not too late to say to God - I believe - help my unbelief. It’s not too late to say to God: yes, I will go out in the vineyard after all. I will work to bring the good news of your love to my family, my friends, and the whole world in what I say and do. I will worship you and work with you and obey your will.

The Psalm gives us the right prayer to go with this parable: “Lord, teach us your ways!” Our ways need to be God’s ways. It is good if our words say 'yes' to God. But what is crucial is that our lives say 'yes' to God. Unless they do, our words are worthless. May we become the sons and daughters of God who please him with both our words and our actions, each and every day!