“What is your opinion?

A man had two sons.

He came to the first and said,

‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

He said in reply, ‘I will not,’

but afterwards changed his mind and went.

The man came to the other son and gave the same order.

He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.

Which of the two did his father's will?"

This gospel reading has always resonated with my experience. It is one of my favorites. In big ways and in small ways I have identified with the first son. When called to go to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. for an emergency anointing, I tend to resist in my human reluctance, but I generally overcome my inertia and go for what inevitably becomes a very moving and profound experience of God’s grace. Being busy and responsible for parishes which I serve, I have shown hesitancy at my mom’s occasional suggestions to reach out to people she knows are in need, but I eventually surrender and am surprised at God’s work through me in those situations. In a more life altering sense, I left seminary for three years, not knowing if I would ever return, only to go back and later decide that I would not be ordained a priest. After significant discernment, conversations with Archbishop Kelly, and the experience of life in a parish community, I affirmed God’s leading and petitioned the Archbishop for the call to priesthood. It is in my vocation to priesthood that I continue to discover my true identity and experience the transforming power of God’s love. 

I am inherently prone to resist God’s direction, but some deeper level of who I am always gravitates toward the good, beautiful, and true. While I initially battle against myself, rarely do I dig in my heals for a prolonged struggle. As time goes on, thankfully, I have come through multiple experiences and obstacles to an abiding trust in God’s providence. In the end, usually, I do what God is asking me to do. I have always said yes to the Church and the needs of God’s people. Even with my initial resistance, I change my mind and go to work in the vineyard. At times, I wish it was otherwise. I wish I was more apt to simply follow God’s voice and easily do what he has called me to do. I wish my first response was always yes. In the end, however, I have found comfort in this Gospel reading, that my superficial hesitation has been overcome by a more significant and real acceptance of God’s will and his providence. In trial, challenge, difficulty, unexpected change, interruptions, and surprises, I have learned that God is at work. Even when I bristle at first, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness and presence to follow where he leads. 

At the same time, in my personal walk with God, I also recognize the opposite. On retreats, at moments of consoling prayer, and in going to confession, I am often moved to say yes to God’s call to greater love and holiness. I commit to being perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. I want to live a life of goodness and virtue. I mean it at the time, but struggle to live it out. Sin sneaks in again. Or, more accurately, I choose sin again. It can be as simple as a judgement in my heart, an uncharitable word, impatience at an inconvenience, or skipping an opportunity to serve. It can, also, be more grave. In any case, it’s as if I say, “Heading to the vineyard now, Dad,” wave goodbye, and then go do my own thing. I am convicted that I act too often like the second son. Thank God for his mercy, grace, and faithfulness. Of course, there is a third alternative. It is the one shown to us by Jesus and seen in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is perhaps the real challenge of this gospel: to say yes and, then, to go work in the vineyard. Too much? For us alone, but with God, all things are possible.