A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

When devout people talk, what they say always makes sense….. (Sirach 27:11)

The Parable of the Two Sons

“Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the elder one and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’  ‘I don’t want to,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. ‘Yes, sir,’ he answered, but he did not go. Which one of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The elder one,” they answered.

So Jesus said to them, “I tell you: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you. For John the Baptist came to you showing the right path to take, and you would not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even when you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.  (Matthew 21:28-32)

Here we can see two types of response to a call.

The father lovingly approaches the elder son to go to the vineyard but he refuses.  The initial refusal may be due to various reasons like non-acceptance or grudge towards his father or other priorities; but later on he has a change of mind and he obey his father. But he later rethought about it, changed his attitude about disobeying his father and finally obeys.

Whereas the other son, in his appearance though seemed polite  yet went on to disobey his father. Though he accepted the request gladly yet did not fulfill to what he agreed. His response is like those people who want to please others only with their lips, but in reality they are unwilling to do any good or to help others. 

They forget that they are defaming themselves by not keeping their words.

“Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ – anything else you say comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)

“All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.” (James 3:7)

Both the sons are equally wrong in their words and deeds. This nature is common when we are called to certain duties.

Let us take the example of a marital life which is a call for two persons from different families and backgrounds.  In the presence of God, reverently and obediently both the bride and the groom, accepts the vows and agrees to fulfill the duties towards each other.

But as life moves on, how many of us succeed in taking true pain to follow the vows and promises that help us in attaining the blessings towards our family life.

Through the parable we observe that those who say no to the call and push themselves back and later when change their minds and accept it will be honored as a righteous person and given a seat in the front. He would be honored as a righteous person, who ran the race and worked hard to fulfill his duty. Remember always that our help, our deeds should be punctual and timely so that it may be useful and fruitful, just as God our Father provides us everything at the proper and appropriate time.

Dear devotees, if we Biblically see Luke 19, a man called Zacchaeus said Yes to his call and obtained forgiveness and salvation and he received the honor, richness and long life.

Due to fear, even Peter said, “I don’t know Him,” and ran away from the truth.  Again he repents and came back to his call and completed his duty accepting death on a cross upside down.

Apart from these two types there are people who accept the call by answering Yes and go ahead, work hard for the Lord and pay the price of sacrifice and obtain their crown. They are given the title of  Saints.

Reverse situation can be painful. There are people who respond with a No and remain adamant and lead a life against the will of God. They are called as sinners.

“When devout people talk, what they say always makes sense, but foolish people are always contradicting themselves.” (Sirach 27:11)

One who is steady in his words, will be success in his work. You must have a firm decision in mind that what you speak or promise is to be completed on right time and in the right manner so as to get approved from the Father above. Only a sincere heart person can balance both his/her words and deeds.  Simultaneously in this parable both fail, one either in words and the other in deeds.

For e.g. when a needy person approaches asking for help, you console him by saying that you will do the needful. But when the time comes for your words to turn into action, you turn and escape. This is truly unfair.  

On the other   hand some say a no but later change their mind to help. It is better that though we say No but later change our attitude and do the right thing.

Since this parable is in regards to the call for discipleship, here the father represents St. John the Baptist who is reminding people of God’s call.

Why do I fail to do my duty? Why can’t anyone truly enjoy my work?

Majority of mankind are unable to keep up their words and deeds. If you go through the life of Christ Jesus we can see his Words and Deeds go hand in hand.  

All His words were proved in His actions.

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us who reminds us to follow him. Through this parable the Lord tells us to follow Him.

  

                                                   A PRAYER

Lord Jesus, light of my life thank you for refreshing my mind through Your words. You have sent me to this earth, to go and work in your vineyard. Knowingly and unknowingly, cunningly and through cheating I became the work of evil. Like the first son, grant me the grace to live like a saint by respond to your call sincerely and by complete the work bearing the loss of it.  May the Light of Your Word and deeds remain in my remaining life. I pray to my Loving Father in the Name of Jesus. Amen!