Gospel of Matthew, chapter 21:28-32

Parable of the two sons.

On the surface, this parable of the two sons seems to be about a family matter, but after closer inspection it reveals that it is really about who is truly doing God’s will.

The older son in this parable objected to his father when he was asked to work in the vineyard; but he changed his mind, and did what his father wanted. The younger son, on the other hand, gave lip-service to his father, but did not do what his father wanted.

Jesus asked his listeners: “which one of the two did what his father wanted?” They answered: “the older one.”

In this simple parable, the Lord is explaining the difference between doing God’s will and merely promising to do God’s will. The father in this parable represents God the Father; the vineyard is an image of the kingdom of God; and the two sons represent opposite responses to doing God’s will. The older son responded positively even though he did not feel like doing so; whereas the younger son responded negatively even though he said he would do what was asked of him.

The implications of this parable for us are very clear: do the right thing (God’s will) even if it hurts; and don’t pay lip-service. The person who denies oneself, and is prepared to experience discomfort to help others; to visit the sick; to control one’s temper; to forgive a wrong; to ask for forgiveness; and to endure the ridicule of others; shows more true faith than the one who only pays lip-service to the gospel, but doesn’t follow through.

Jesus concludes this parable by telling His listeners that tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of them. The tax collectors and prostitutes, like the “rebellious” older son, repented of their sins and ended up doing the will of the Father. Jesus’ listeners, on the other hand, were like the younger son because they refused to repent in response to the preaching of John the Baptist to reform their lives.

Your relationship with almighty God requires more than speaking the right words; it requires more than reciting the profession of faith in church; it requires that you practice what you profess by living it, even if it hurts.

Fr. Hugh Duffy