First Reading - Ezekiel 18:25-28
Second Reading - Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel - Matthew 21:28-32
We all make promises. Sometimes we say, “Yes, I will do it,” but later we do not follow through. At other times, we may initially refuse something, but after thinking about it, we change our mind and do what is right. Today’s readings remind us that God looks not simply at our words, but at the direction of our lives.
In the first reading, the people complain that the Lord is not just. But God responds by reminding them that each person is responsible for the way he or she chooses to live. If a wicked person turns away from wrongdoing and begins to live rightly, that person will live. God is always open to conversion.
This is exactly what Jesus teaches in the Gospel through the parable of the two sons. The father asks the first son to go and work in the vineyard. He says, “I will not,” but later changes his mind and goes. The second son says, “Yes, sir,” but does not go.
Jesus then asks, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” The answer is clear: the first son.
The important point is that the father is not looking for beautiful words; he is looking for obedience expressed in action. The first son initially said no, but he changed. His final action became more important than his initial words.
This gives us a very practical question: Are there areas in our lives where we say “yes” to God with our lips but “no” through our actions?
We may say that we love God, but do we forgive? We may say that we care for others, but do we make time for them? We may say that we want to follow Christ, but are we willing to change something in our lives?
The second reading gives us the attitude necessary for this change. St. Paul presents Christ as the model of humility. Jesus “emptied himself” and became obedient, even to death on a cross.
Jesus does not simply speak about obedience; he lives it. His whole life becomes a “yes” to the Father. His humility and obedience show us that conversion is not simply changing our words. It is allowing God's will to shape our choices.
Therefore, the three readings give us one message: God does not ask us to be perfect from the beginning. He asks us to have a heart that is willing to change and to put his will into practice.
Perhaps there is something in our life that we have been saying “no” to God about. Perhaps we have been holding on to anger, pride, resentment or some habit that needs to change. The good news is that it is never too late to turn back.
The first son changed his mind and went to work. The people in Ezekiel's prophecy turned away from their wrongdoing and lived. And Christ shows us the perfect example of obedience and humility.
Let us therefore not be discouraged by our past failures. Instead, let us ask for the grace to change our hearts and make our “yes” to God real through our actions.
Because in the end, what matters is not simply what we say to God, but what we allow his grace to make of our lives.
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