WHEN A “NO” BECOMES A “YES”
         For us to better understand the gospel that we have this Sunday, it is  important to have a good grasp of the background or context of the story.  It should be noted that Jesus was addressing this parable to the scribes and Pharisees who were considered to be the experts and teachers of the Jewish and Mosaic laws.  They considered themselves as the cream of the crop or the models in living out the commandments of God.  Before this particular parable, the story that precedes it is the heated encounter of Jesus with the scribes and Pharisees. They were questioning where the authority of Jesus in preaching about the Kingdom of God came from?  And, to answer their question, Jesus gave them this parable of the two sons who were asked by their father to work in the vineyard. The first son said “no”, eventually had a change of heart, and worked in the vineyard, while the second son said “yes”, but later changed his mind and never bothered to work in the vineyard. What Jesus was doing here was to let the Pharisees and the scribes identify themselves as one of the sons in the story.  Jesus wanted to point out that while they were questioning his authority to preach the Gospel, their lifestyle and how they conduct themselves are totally opposite to what they preach and are contrary to the very ideals and values that they stand for.  They are like the second son in the parable who at the beginning agreed to work in the vineyard of God. They said Yes initially to that invitation of God to follow him, but eventually abandoned their yes by leading a life that was not pleasing to God.  Jesus referred to them as hypocrites – telling them that their “yes” to work for the vineyard of God was empty because it is not seen by how they treat other people. Jesus even went further when  he told them, “Look, these people whom you easily judged like the tax collectors and prostitutes – the known public sinners— might even enter the Kingdom before you. They are like the first son in the story who initially said No to the invitation of God to follow him and to work in his vineyard; they wandered off in a different direction, but eventually converted themselves to the Gospel.  Jesus tells us that they might even enter heaven first before those who initially were so fired up in their Yes to God, but eventually abandoned their Yes.  What is clear from this Gospel and from the First Reading is that God is primarily concerned with our present relationship with him. As far as the past is concerned, God has a very short memory. In fact, we might say he has none at all. This is the “injustice” of God that Ezekiel mentions. We
remember the man who was crucified with Jesus on Calvary. He was a major criminal, a brigand, a robber, perhaps a murderer. There, in the very last moments while hanging on the cross, he asks pardon and forgiveness — “Jesus, remember me when you enter into your Kingdom.” The reply comes instantly, without any qualifications whatsoever, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.” The forgiveness he receives is immediate and total. The readings tell us that it is never too late for God’s mercy. Peter knew that when he repented of his denial of his Lord.  Even the betrayal of Judas was not beyond God’s power to forgive.  In fact, Jesus tells us that no sin is greater in the power of God to forgive.  His mercy waits patiently, and he wants all to turn towards him and be with him.  Jesus calls us today to make our own personal choices. In those choices, we are free and individually responsible for our own actions.  In this context, the Psalm of today echoes the sincere cry of the psalmist who sincerely wants to follow the Lord’s way and recognizes his own need of the Lord’s mercy for his sins. The psalm also recognizes the Lord’s favor towards those who humble themselves before him.
    What does this Gospel mean for us living in this particular time, so far removed from the time when Jesus told this story?  The importance and the relevance of the parable are huge for us. Jesus is asking us, just like the Pharisees, to identify ourselves in one of the two sons or probably in both sons.  Are we like the first son who initially didn’t want anything to do with being involved or part of the vineyard of God; thus, we said No, No, No way, but eventually realized that life would only have meaning if we have God in our lives? Or, are we the second son, who at the start is so passionate about being part of the vineyard of God, the Church, but eventually lost our stamina and wandered off– possibly because of some doctrinal issues or a particular teaching that we didn’t agree with or probably because we have been offended by those horrible, external events that plagued the Church? The ideal thing is not to be either of the sons because it would be so much better if we say yes at the very start and keep that yes in the end. But, the reality is we don’t live in a perfect world, and Jesus knows that — that’s why the story was designed like this.
     It is clear in the story that what really counts in the end is to respond to God’s invitation to follow him and honor and be serious in our “yes” to his call.  We might not always be consistent in keeping our “yes” which is why we have the sacrament of confession to take care of that; the important thing is that we keep trying in being faithful, we don’t lose heart in living out the Gospel, and we continue to grow in our love and desire for God.  To say “yes” to God doesn’t always mean that it will always be a sunny day and everything will always be perfect. Just looking at the life of Christ, we saw how his “yes” to his Father’s will brought him to his passion and death.  But Christ’s “yes” to his Father brought salvation and the promise of eternal life to us all.  Our constant “yes” to the will of God in the midst of our struggles in faith will eventually bring us to the promise of resurrection. The Church exists right now because of the definitive “yes” of Jesus to the Father, and we joined him in answering to that “yes.” Our collective “yes” to God’s will and to work in his vineyard ushers the continuity of the Church right now. And, the credibility of the Gospel and our faith is what is at stake whenever we respond with seriousness, sincerity and love to that invitation of God to collaborate to work with him in his vineyard because, after all, we are not just his workers, but his children—his sons and daughters.  So, looking at our unique calling from God, how firm is our “yes” to collaborate with him in his vineyard? With all honesty, whom can we easily relate or identify with between the sons in the parable? Both sons were invited. Are we ready to say “yes”?  - Fr. Cary