But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Gospel of the Day
Mt 21, 28-32
Listen to today's Gospel
Reflection
Today the Gospel presents us with a parable that challenges our consistency between what we say and what we do. The first son says 'I will not,' but later, repenting, he goes to work in his father's vineyard. The second son answers 'I go, sir,' but does not go. Jesus asks us: which of the two did the father's will? The answer is clear: the one who acted, not the one who only promised
This teaching invites us to examine our life of faith. Sometimes we say 'Lord, Lord' with our lips, but our hearts are far away. We content ourselves with appearances, with fulfilling external rites, but we do not truly commit to God's will. In contrast, public sinners, like tax collectors and prostitutes, who initially said 'no' to God, upon encountering John the Baptist repented and changed their lives. They enter the Kingdom before the Pharisees, who considered themselves righteous but did not obey
What does this tell us? That it is never too late to repent. We may have said 'no' to God many times, but if today, moved by his grace, we decide to obey, we are welcome. What matters is not the initial word, but the final action. God values a humble heart that recognizes itself as sinful and returns to him. The parable challenges us to move from faith in word to faith in deeds, to be consistent Christians who not only say 'I go,' but actually go
Let us ask the Lord for the grace of sincerity and perseverance, so that our actions may correspond to our profession of faith. May we not be like the son who promises and does not fulfill, but like the one who, despite his initial refusal, ends up doing the Father's will.
Reflection prepared for EncuentraIglesias.
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus, who calls us to work in your vineyard, give us a humble and sincere heart. Forgive our refusals and broken promises. Grant us the grace of repentance and constancy to always do your will, not only in word but in deed. Amen.