Remember your mercies, O Lord

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  09/27/2026  |  The WORD in other words

Last Sunday, we heard the Parable of the workers in the vineyard wherein we learned about the benevolence and generosity of God which we could not merit by our own works and actions, but on the very nature of God who loves us unconditionally. Today, we hear another parable which is the Parable of the two sons. This specific parable is primarily addressed by Jesus to the Pharisees and the scribes, his adversaries.

The main intention of this parable is to justify Christ's invitation to the outcast and known public sinners and to criticize their attitudes towards them. The first son represents the outcasts and known sinners who chose to go their own way, but then later change their minds and hearts, and follow God's way; thus they gain access to the Kingdom of God. The second son represents the Scribes and Pharisees who knew the Torah by heart and made a vow to work for God but failed to do so. Their pride, arrogance and eventual rejection of Jesus and his message prevent them from entering the kingdom of God.Thus, Jesus would like to emphasize that repentance of one's sins is the necessary condition for one to enter the kingdom of God. In addition, the disciple or the spiritual person who tries to follow Christ is always torn to decide between saying or doing or to consider what is the best way to respond to God's invitation or calling. Our integrity depends primarily on the words we say or do. Are we those people who say "Yes" to God, but we do what is contrary to his will or do not conform to his commands? Or are we the people who say "NO" to him but later regret and do what God says? Are these ideal responses to God

The parable ultimately teaches that promises/vows made to God and others can never take the place of performance or action, nor fine words can never substitute for strong deeds. Being faithful and obedient to God implies that we mean what we say and we say what we mean. Thus, there must be complete congruence with our words and deeds; and that there is no dichotomy with what we say and do. This kind of responds demands humility, unselfishness, and sacrifice. The classic examples of these are Abraham, Mary and Jesus. Abraham did not withhold his son Isaac when God commanded him to sacrifice his own son. Mary said during the annunciation: "I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word." Jesus says at the garden of Gethsemane: "Father, take this cup away from me, not my will but yours be done." In other words, when we say "Yes" to God and do not follow through, or when we say no to God and later change our mind and do it, are not the ideal or genuine responses to God's commands and will. To God, words need to be reflected in action. Obedience to his will and commands is better than sacrifice. Before God, we have to be "YES" men and women with actions like St. Joseph who never opened his mouth in the scriptures, but completely did his will. Amen.