In today’s Gospel, we have the story of how two brothers responded to their father’s call for help in the vineyard.

One son responded negatively, saying, “I will not go.” But he later changed his attitude and he does go out to do the father’s work.

The second son expresses good intentions, saying, “Certainly sir.” but he never goes out into the vineyard. “Which of the two did the father’s will?” Jesus asks the chief priests and the elders of the temple. They answered correctly of course, “The first.”

Jesus doesn’t put on this little quiz to see how smart his listeners are. Rather, He is making a crucial point with them about their relationship with God. It’s not what you say, not what you promise, not what you intend that matters most. As Jesus points out, it is much better to move from ill intentions to good and positive action.

Jesus once again is pointing out that repentance/change is necessary for us at times to move from good intentions to action. As repentance is becoming the kind of person God wants us to become.

God Bless,
Deacon Del