In the short parable, to which every parent and child can especially relate, Our Lord asks us to consider the behavior of two sons, through whom we find two lessons for our Christian life are given to us.
In response to his father’s directive, one son says, “Yes, I will go,” but he does not.” Essentially the Lord’s lesson is this—that for God, the words and great promises count for little if they are not followed by deeds.
Our life of faith must be more than mere words or empty gestures. This is what Jesus observed in the lives of the Scribes and Pharisees—those who professed to be experts in the law and considered themselves to be models of faith. His external observance did not correspond to his internal disposition. His “yes” was just a display to hide the “no” within his heart.
Isn’t this son, similar to the elder brother in the Lord’s parable of the prodigal son? Outwardly he was faultless, but interiorly, he wandered away from his father. He remained at home and did all the right things. He was obedient and hardworking. There was always a “yes” on his lips but a great “no” within his heart— the “no” of resentment.
The Italians have a wonderful rhyme: “Fra il dire, e il fare—c’e’ di mezzo—il mare.” (Between saying and doing, there lies an ocean.) St. Ignatius of Antioch provides a religious perspective on this truth when he warns, “It is better to be a Christian without saying so than to say so without being one.”
This is surely a challenge but it involves more than a matter of “doing and saying.” It is about possessing an upright interior disposition. We all know how we can do many “good things” but with a wrong motive, a bad intention or just for the sake of appearance, what the Italians call, “bella figura”…a beautiful appearance. This afflicted the Scribes and Pharisees and it can afflict us.
We can meet this challenge only through prayer, an examination of conscience and the help of a good sacramental confession.
The example of the other son provides the second lesson. This son said “no” but then regretted his words and obeyed his father. The father was surely pleased and encouraged at his son’s change of heart. The “no” was transformed into “Yes.”
Grace was at work within his heart which allowed him to reconsider, to break down the wall of pride and selfishness, in order to do the Father’s will. Isn’t this son, similar to the prodigal son who had come to senses and returned penitent to his Father?
Here is the simple but powerful lesson this son offers us: We can change our “no’s” into “yesses.” No matter the sin, we are never beyond the reach of God’s mercy and love. Yes, even prostitutes and tax collectors are entering the Kingdom of God.
It reminds me of what Bishop Sheen said: “There will be three surprises in heaven. The first is that those we thought we would find there are not there. The second is that those we never thought would be there are there. The third is that we would find ourselves there!”
