26th Sunday Ordinary Time cycle A. Ngay 24-25 Sep 2005

Các Trưởng và Thiếu Nhi Thân mến,

A number of years ago, there was a young high school girl with a pretty bad reputation who found that she was going to be a teenage mother. She decided that she would have the baby and put up for adoption. But until the baby came, it would be important that she live as far away from her boy friend as possible. Her boy friend was abusive and had even threatened to do her harm if she went through with the pregnancy. Now one of her sisters lived out in different area with her husband and their children. This would be the ideal place for the teenager. Her sister was the spiritual leader of the entire family. She was committed to Christ. At least externally. Furthermore, Catholic Charities of the diocese where her sister lived had offered to help the girl through the pregnancy and adoption with counselling, job training, etc. The situation seemed absolutely ideal. But when the pregnant teenager asked if she could stay with her sister and her family, this sister said, ‘no way. It would be too stressful for our family. And I don’t want my children asking questions about the pregnancy.’ This true story is absolutely parallel to the Gospel we heard today. That’s because the teenager had another sister who lived with her husband in a little apartment at one of the Universities. This sister was not all that active in her religion, but she took her sister in and gave her a home and support.

My dear brothers and sisters, what kind of future are you preparing for? Jesus encourages us to think. To think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but for eternity as well. The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the life of to come. Today, Jesus tells a simple story of two imperfect sons to illustrate the way of God’s kingdom. The father amply provided for his sons food, lodging, and everything they needed. Everything the father had belonged to them as well. The father also rewarded his sons with excellent work in his own vineyard. He expected them to show him gratitude, loyalty, and honour by doing their fair share of the daily work. That is the father’s will; but the reality is, when he asks them to do some works, the rebellious son told his father to his face that he would not work for him. But afterwards he changed his mind and did what his father commanded him. The good son on the other hand, said he would work for his father, but didn’t carry through. He did his own pleasure contrary to his father’s will. Now who was really the good Son? Both sons disobeyed their father; but one repented and then did what the father told him.

My friends, Jesus makes his point clear: Good intentions are not enough. And promises don’t count unless they are performed. God wants to change our hearts so that we will show by our speech and by our actions that we respect his will and we are ready to do what he commands. God offers each of us the greatest treasure possible- unending peace, joy, happiness, and life with him in his kingdom. We can lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God offers us to follow in his way of truth and righteousness.

Let go back to the story of the teenager pregnancy. This is a true story. We are not here to make a judgement. But the point I want to make is that Christianity cannot survive with mere lip service. It is easy to be a Christian when all is smooth in our lives. It is hard to be a Christian when Christianity involves a challenge. We cannot be satisfied with standing up for our faith and morals only when it is convenient for us. We are called upon to be Christians in every aspect of our lives. We have to stand for our faith whenever we are called upon. It is not easy to be a real Christian. But no one ever said that the followers of the one who carried a Cross would have easy choices to make. Let us conclude with our prayer for this week:
‘Lord Jesus, change my heart that I may truly desire that which is pleasing to you. Help me to respect your will and give me the strength, joy and perseverance to carry out your will wholeheartedly.’ Amen.