Yes, Lord, and I will Act

 My dear brothers and sisters, the Gospel today presents us with a very simple story, but it contains a very important lesson for our Christian life. A father goes to his first son and says, “Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.” The son answers, “I will not.” But later, he changes his mind and goes. The father goes to the second son and gives him the same instruction. This son says, “Yes, sir,” but he does not go. Jesus then asks, “Which of the two did his father’s will?” The answer is obvious: the first son.

What Jesus is teaching us is that there can sometimes be a difference between what we say and what we do. It is easy to say the right things. We can say, “Yes, Lord,” in our prayers.

Christianity is not simply about saying the right words. It is about allowing our words to become actions. We can say, “I forgive you,” while continuing to carry resentment in our hearts. We can say, “I love my family,” but never make time for them. We can say, “I care about the poor,” but never help someone who is struggling. We can say, “I want to grow spiritually,” but never pray, never read Scripture and never make time for God. We can say “yes” to God with our lips while saying “no” to Him with our lives.

But there is another side to this Gospel that is very encouraging. The first son initially said no, but later changed his mind and went to work. This reminds us that a bad beginning does not necessarily mean a bad ending. Perhaps we have made mistakes. Perhaps we have wandered away from God. Perhaps there have been moments when we have said “no” to God. But God always gives us the opportunity to begin again.

This is one of the most beautiful things about our faith. God does not define us simply by our past. He looks at what we are willing to become. You may have failed yesterday, but you can begin again today. You may have stopped praying, but you can pray again. You may have been away from the Church, but you can come home. You may have hurt someone, but you can seek forgiveness. You may have carried anger or resentment for years, but you can take the first step toward reconciliation.

Today, therefore, let us not simply say, “Yes, Lord.” Let us say, “Yes, Lord, and I will act.” Let our prayers become actions. Let our faith become visible. Let our love become practical. Let our repentance become a new way of living. When God sends us into His vineyard, may we not only say yes with our lips, but may we actually go and do His will.

Amen.