The liturgical reading today, Matthew 21:28-32, points out that there must be a connection between what we say and what we do. We possess the freedom to say yes or no to God and ability to change the direction of our lives. And one way or another we are responsible for our conduct and accountable for our behaviour. The varying attitudes of the two sons in the gospel give us cause to think carefully because whether we like it or not, there is a mixture of both personalities in us. If Christian faith is not accompanied by upright Christian living, what we profess to believe has no value and amounts to lip service or idle promises which are worthless. We are uttering words but are not changing our hearts.
The lesson the gospel offers us is that we may be saying yes to God often and turning our back on what we profess in many ways. Many of us who say yes to the body of Christ don't realise that we are saying no to the community of Christ. The age old difference between families prevents us from speaking to a neighbour. Newly married couples have no problems saying yes on their wedding day but find it difficult to keep their promise through the trials of life. The biggest test of our faithfulness to Christ is in keeping the promises that we have made and accepting His will whatever it may be.
Stay healthy and safe.
Fr. Arsenio