DOING THE WILL OF GOD: Not in words but in deeds.
Introduction: In today's liturgy we are warned that to be part of the Kingdom of God we have to do the will of God not only in words but in deeds by obeying God. In the first reading Prophet Ezekiel says that each person will be judged according to what he/she does. In the second reading St. Paul presents Jesus' humility and obedience. Although He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God but emptied Himself. In the Gospel we have the parable of two sons. The father tells his sons to do certain work in his vineyard. The elder son at first refuses to do the work. But later he does the work given by the father. The younger son, although at first agrees to do the work, later he does not do it. God wants us to do His will not only in words but in deeds.
First Reading: Ezekiel 18: 25 to 28
Second Reading: Philippians 2: 1 to 11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 21: 28 to 32
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel instructs the people of Israel that they are responsible for their actions. The Lord God rewards everyone according to his/her actions. He is always just. He punishes those who do evil and rewards those who turn away from evil and do good.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul instructs the Philippian community that Jesus humbled Himself and became human and He died on the cross for our salvation. Every follower of the Lord should do everything with humility and look for the good of others rather than that of one's own. Self-seeking actions and rivalry has no place in the life of a Christian. Christ gives us an example of humility and we must imitate Him.
The parable of the two sons Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. It is the story of a father and his two sons. The context of the parable is: The chosen people at first said 'Yes' to the covenant of God . But later they turn away from following God and reject His commandments. They refuse to accept that Jesus is from God. Whereas, those who are not part of the chosen race - the gentiles and sinners - accept Jesus as the Son of God. In the parable, the father asks both his sons - the elder and the younger - to go and work in his vineyard. The elder son initially says 'No' but later goes and does the work as told by the father. The younger son initially says 'Yes' to the father but does not do the work in the vineyard. Jesus puts a question to the disciples: "Which of these two sons did the father's will?" The answer is obvious. The elder son. In this context Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will." Timothy Keller says: "The basic purpose of prayer is not to bend God's will to mine, but to mould my will into His."
Conclusion: Through the parable, Jesus teaches us the need to do the will of the heavenly Father not merely in words but in our actions. The parable in some way has overtones about our own lives. We often make promises to God but forget to fulfil many of them. It is interesting to observe that in the parable, the owner of the vineyard does not ask his servants or hired workers to do his work. He personally asks his sons to do the work in his vineyard. So too, the heavenly Father invites each one of us, His sons and daughters to work in His vineyard. It is up to us to respond to His invitation without fail.
May the Lord Jesus, who through the parable of the two sons teaches us to do the will of God at all times, bless you and give you the generosity to do His will. Amen.
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