TEXT: The Holy Gospel According to Saint Matthew 21:28-32

Many people trust completely in an "easy believism" that does not require any true obedience to the Son of God.  For many, the enemy of the soul has deceived and robbed them of the light of the necessity of obeying God.  Faith, dearly beloved, brings with it obedience.

Jesus addresses this reality in order that we might have the light that gives us the Way of salvation.

What do you think?

28  "What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
29 And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he repented and went.
30 And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go.

The story is a common one.

There are two ways we might take.  There is the positive way with God, the way of obedience that shows a sincere heart that is faithful.  Then, there is the other way, the way of disobedience, showing what it means not to be faithful.

The choice is ours in every choice we make.

What kind of person are we?

We have heard last Sunday the story of the Vineyard and the laborers.  Now, we have the story of the two sons.

On one hand, Jesus was speaking to the Jewish people that listened to him.  He spoke of the nation of Israel that was rejecting his claims of Messiah ship.  Yet, there are many people, Gentiles and Jews, who reject the claims through the rejection of the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus (Cf. John 16:6)

It appears that Jesus was speaking to the people in the Temple at Jerusalem.  The Triumphal entry had taken place and Jesus proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple where the priests, Levites and Scribes abounded with the people of the land.

So, what was to be the verdict of the nation of Israel on the Messianic claims of Jesus?

The key for acceptance was obedience, the obedience of faith, that which St. Paul calls us to in Romans 1's opening greeting.  Listen to it --

1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.
2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,
3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
4 and designated  Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
7  To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

One gets the distinct impression that faith has real obedience, based on this greeting alone.

Do we act as if we truly BELONG to Jesus Christ?

Who will do the will of the Father?  What do you think?

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.

Radical repentance and faith is required.

John the Baptizer preached this in his ministry that paved the Way for the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus.

Who will do the will of the Father?  What do you think?

Those who will humbly follow Jesus and be obedient to the Lord Jesus.

In closing --

St. Paul said:

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -- 
9 not because of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10, RSV)



Deus et Sanctissima.