My dear friends in Christ, today is the 26^th Sunday in ordinary time year A. The readings of this liturgy remind us that we have a righteous God who loves, and cares for us. He treats each person with fairness, and judges each of us accordingly. As a God of truth and justice, He wants us to be faithful and obedient to his commands by our words and actions.

In our first reading, prophet Ezekiel spoke about God’s infinite love for all people. He argues that God remains steadfast in his ways, but his peoples are very unfair in their ways (Ezk. 18:22). Prophet Ezekiel reminds the people of Israel that the most important thing to do, is to return to God and do what is lawful and just. This prophecy reminds us how God desires for our redemption. In his infinite love, He has granted us the opportunity to repent and live. And so, we need to take responsibility on how we respond to God’s love.

In the gospel reading, we heard about the parable of the two sons whom their father sent to work in the vineyard. The story of these brothers underscores the great theme of individual responsibility in the salvation drama. These brothers represent contrasting models of discipleship, because, they did not only answer differently, but they behaved differently as well. The first son said he would not go but, ‘afterwards thought the better of it and went’. The second son said he would go, but later he failed to keep to his promise.

We recall that Jesus addresses this parable directly to the Jewish leaders, who refused to listen neither to John the Baptist nor to Jesus himself. They refused to listened to John the Baptist, because, John challenged them to bear good fruits as evidence of their repentance. Hence, they considered him of being possessed by demon. And they called Jesus a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.

But tax collectors and prostitutes on the other hand, having heard John’s call for repentance, as well as Christ’ message of life, open up their hearts to embrace and believe in them. They were the ones who disposed themselves to believe in Jesus and accept His message. They were those who considered Jesus to be a solution to their problem. In Jesus they found a second chance for a new beginning. It is the beginning of a new life of grace and righteousness.

There is a saying that actions speak louder than words. Some people love to talk much but do little, while some say few words but perform much actions. The tax collectors and prostitutes mentioned in this gospel were indeed doers of the word and not mere listeners. They listened, believed and acted.

This parable teaches us that promises and fine words can never take the place of action or deeds. St. James in his epistle cautions us thus: ‘you must do what the word tells you and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves’ (James 1:22).  It is said that a good Christian is one who follows Jesus and tries to practice His teaching.

Some times in life we refused to change our stand or ways on certain situations. Perhaps, we are not yet convinced and need more time to decide. Perhaps we are afraid because of friends and associates. Yet, there are times when we should change our minds and take a new direction. One kind of change that is certainly needed for many of us is the change from being only a listener to becoming a doer.

Again, the message of this parable is addressed to all of us today. At our baptism, God called and spoke to us. We promised to listen and obey His message, unfortunately, we end up like the second son of the parable.

Every Sunday, we come to Church to give praise and thanks to God. Again, and again, we meet Jesus and we hear Him saying to us “…I always do what pleases Him my Father” (cf. Jn. 8:29). And we know that He expects us to do the same, to imitate and to follow His exemplary life. As we hear God’s message during this liturgical celebration, did we pay attention? Because the bible says that faith comes by hearing (cf. Rm 10:17). Do we understand and do we realize what it really means in our own life? So, let us be listeners, yes, but above all, we need to be doers of His will.

Today is a better day to ask yourself, if all the people in this Church is divided into two groups-on one side the listeners. On the other side, those who listen and do what the scripture asks of them. In all sincerity, where would I belong? Perhaps, I may in all honesty belong to mere listener and do nothing. Because, it is very easy to say than done. So, are you ready to change your way as did the first son in today’s parable?