Keeping Our Promises

 

 Matthew 21: 28-31

The Parable of the Two Sons

²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Second thoughts followed by action tell us where our heart is.  We might be reluctant to accept a request at first, or glibly promise to do something,  but often enough, thinking about it can cause us to change our minds and actually DO IT.  Let us beware of acting on our impulses, but give time for requests, promises or insights to sink into our hearts, and then act on them.

Like the second son in today’s Gospel, Lord, we make promises that we do not keep. We get lazy or turn away from the work in the vineyard which you ask us to do. Please give us another chance when we stumble, and usher us one day into your kingdom. Amen.

 Rev. Thomas McNally, C.S.C.