the e-Testament
Matthew 21:28-32
The Story of Two Sons
“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’
“The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.
“The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.
“Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”
They said, “The first.”
Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.
Reflection
This is a tale of two halves.
The first son and the second son both respond differently to the father. The first son is open to his father and willing to reflect on his actions whereas the other son is more deceitful and misleading.
The first son has a change of heart, he realises how much he loves his father and how much his father loves him. One can only imaging the look of disappointment on the father's face when met with rejection from his first son, but it was this moment that changed the son, he accepted his father’s invitation and went.
Today’s parable reminds us that Jesus is a forgiving father and he understands that sometimes in our lives we make a wrong choice or a wrong decision.
He is always accepts us back with any change of heart and is always ready to love, regardless.
Sandy Fairley
Salesian Lay Chaplain
Prayer
Loving Father,
Help us to make wise decisions in life and to never wander far from your love.
Amen