I learned long ago never to judge a book by its cover. Publishers often make books with poor plots look enticing with attractive covers and hide the best plots behind dull covers. What we find may not always match our expectations. The same can be said about people.
With this parable, Jesus demonstrates that he has little respect for those who put on airs of holiness if in their hearts, they had little regard for what really matters to God. By contrasting the actions of the two sons, neither of whom were ideal, he compares the chief priests and the elders with the public sinners in their midst.
Human nature hasn’t changed much since then. Like the wayward son, many of us nowadays say yes in words but no in deeds or lack of deeds. Perhaps we can fool others or ourselves into thinking we are faithful Catholics, appearing to others to be religious while holding on to practices and values that are anything but Christian, but we cannot fool God, no matter what sort of argument we may contrive.
The second son looks good on the outside. He gives his word to his father but he doesn’t follow through. Perhaps he sees no wrong in ignoring what his father asked of him. His brother, on the other hand, made a scene, refusing at first to honor his father. Later he regrets what he did, changes his mind and goes to work in the vineyard.
This parable is a good example of saying “actions speak louder than words.” Having shared the parable, Jesus asked a probing question. “Which of the two did his father’s will?” The obvious answer to the chief priests and elders is the son who ultimately did what his father asked of him.
Whom do we relate to in the parable? Do we see ourselves in the sandals of the son who was quick to say yes, yet had no intention of obeying his father? That is, do we see ourselves as being quick to believe in Jesus yet not so inclined to do what he asks of us? Or do we see ourselves in the sandals of the other son, initially protesting all that God asks of us, but finally seeing that a change of heart and attitude enables us to experience what Jesus means when he speaks of entering the kingdom of God.
Many Catholics remind me of the wayward son; they’re selective with what they want to believe and practice. Two good examples would be Catholic politicians who publicly favor pro-choice legislation and voters who support the practice of euthanasia despite what the Church says on these matters. They have redefined the Church to fit their needs, instead of defining their values to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Perhaps, like the ancient Israelites they feel, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” The issue isn’t fairness. When we ignore certain dogma and morals to suit our whims, we create a church that ceases to be Catholic, and cannot bring us to the kingdom of God that Jesus promises to his followers.
Sometimes we justify a sin or an immoral choice by saying, “It doesn’t hurt anybody.” The truth is, we just don’t know how much harm we are doing. The only reason, God, our Father, gives us laws is to tell us what does in fact hurt people, whether we know it or not. If we don’t take God’s word for it, we will learn the hard way and someone will suffer from our actions. Some things are wrong not because they do harm every time but because they are dangerous.
God hopes we will learn that being self-centered leaves us feeling empty. Like the repentant son, we can change our minds, our values, our way of life and allow our attitudes to become, as Paul urges, like that of Christ. Unlike the chief priests, that is what the prostitutes and the tax collectors whom Jesus associated with did. They followed the example of the repentant son and changed their lives.
Speaking of change, we claim that leopards can’t change their spots and that old dogs can’t be taught new tricks. We usually say these things in jest because we don’t really think change can happen or that very few people do change. With this parable, Jesus challenges that mindset. His message is simple: we can change if we want to. When we see that doing the Father’s will can make a positive difference in our lives, then change is more likely to happen.
Unless we do what the Father asks of us, we cannot enter the kingdom of God, any more than we can bake a cake without following the recipe. That means changing our priorities and making space in our busy lives for God. Consider how much time you spend each day in prayer. Is God important enough to merit any of your precious time beyond a few fleeting minutes? What shapes our relationship with God, the church, and others in our lives are the priorities we set for ourselves. If our attitude is honestly centered on Christ, we would then see the value of what God continually is asking of us through his Son and through the Church. Make time for God daily by taking time to pray.
To be redeemed by Christ, we must be like Christ. Look to others’ interests rather than our own. Put your faith in Jesus and see him as the way to holiness. By living in Christ and like Christ, we can pass from the tragedy of sin to the joy and peace that God promises us in his kingdom. The tax collectors and prostitutes got the message and changed their lives and so can we.