26. Sunday A in Ordinary Time, Mt 21,28-32

Jesus’ parable of the two sons, one of whom expressed his readiness to fulfill his father’s will but ultimately did not fulfill it, and the other—after an initial refusal—complied with his request, admonishes us to remain vigilant, warns us against self-love, and requires faith based on works to convert. The mere declaration that we believe or belong to the Church does not yet guarantee salvation. Consistency is essential. Words of confession and obedience to God must be followed by actions.

Let us guard against self-satisfaction.

When the Lord Jesus told this parable, he wanted the priests and scribes to draw appropriate conclusions and consider whether they are really obeying God, their Father. Unfortunately, they didn’t. They considered themselves obedient, but when the time of the test came, when first John the Baptist appeared before them and then the Messiah himself, they failed the test. They rejected the teachings of both—they did not believe them. They remained content with themselves, in self-love. On the other hand, sinners, publicans, and harlots willingly listened to them and most of all—converted. The leaders of the nation, priests and scribes, standing under the cross on Calvary, mocked Jesus, they did not care that He was praying for them: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” They rejected him. On the other hand, the good lotor took advantage of Jesus’ proximity, believed in him and was saved. He is the first among the saints. Jesus himself declared him a saint. Years ago, the non-believer André Frossard, thanks to his friend, entered the church, saw the Host in the monstrance, and believed. When they left the temple, he said to his religious friend, “God really exists.” Believing friend, overconfident, later lost faith, lacked vigilance.

Not so much words as deeds…

In life—as in today’s parable – empty words mean nothing. Actions are decisive. Words move, encourage, but good deeds “shout” much louder because they attract. Words have great power, but they should always be followed by action. Pope John XXIII liked to talk a lot and sometimes reproached himself for it, and yet it bore great fruit. He lived by the principle he preached to others: “I care for nothing but to do the will of the Lord every day. Believe me, that is the most beautiful life.”

We witness daily that all works of human hands, as well as works of art and buildings, are impermanent and subject to destruction. Only good deeds are permanent. Neither rust, moth nor thieves can destroy them—as Jesus assures us. Every good deed, truly good, unadulterated by impure intentions or ignoble motives, cannot be lost. For each of them, the Lord will often reward us here on earth, but fully in heaven. That will be our most valuable reward—salvation.

For this to happen, we must do these good deeds in union with God, that is, in a state of sanctifying grace. We must be united with Him through love. Then our deeds will be alive; they will be worthy of heaven. However, if this life of God were to end in us, inner stagnation would occur; we would lose these merits, and our good works would be empty and dead. Then it is necessary as soon as possible …

Conversion

The second son in the parable, although he refused his father’s request at first, told him, “I don’t want to,” but immediately came to his senses and carried out his will. We are all sinners; we say “no” to God. But let’s not stay with this defiant “no”, but let’s recover as soon as possible. Let us return to him in the sacrament of reconciliation. He is waiting for us in the confessional. There we will recover all lost merit for heaven and be able to gain more through good works done in union with God, in a state of sanctifying grace. Lord, give us the strength to persevere in your love so that we love you not only in word but above all in deed. Let our will be in full harmony with your will!