September 27, 2026, at Saint Peter and Saint William Churches in Naples, FL
Ezekiel 18: 25-28 + Psalm 25 + Philippians 2: 1-11 + Matthew 21: 28-32
There are two very important words that all of us use several times every day. They are small words, but a lot hangs on them. It don’t think I am exaggerating if I would say our lives could be summed up in terms of those two words. Many of your lives right now have been shaped and lived because of them. Two words: Yes and No.
Some of you asked a question: “Will you marry me?” Earlier in our lives there was another question: Do you wish to be Baptized?” A Bishop said to me: “Do you wish to be ordained?” When you stop to think about it, I think the power of those two little words is amazing. Of course, it is not exactly the words themselves but the spirit in which they are spoken that makes the difference. They can be said lightly without sincerity, or thoughtfully and with deep sincerity. Nonetheless, the words spoken are only the beginning. What matters is whether or not they are acted upon.
This story we just heard, has a parent asking a child to go to work in the family vineyard, and like most children, the first word is an immediate “No.” Any of us could fill the rest of that conversation. If you can’t, you have never had any children. You know how it continued: “Why does it always have to be me?” or “Can’t you get someone else?” Maybe he had plans for the day. It’s possible he’s just lazy, but it is early in the morning, and a lot can happen between morning and evening. My guess is that perhaps those plans changed, or maybe that “Yes” was just moving around in his head, and finally he decided to change his mind and go even though it was late in the day.
Then there is the other one. Not willing to risk displeasing the father he said “Yes” but didn’t go. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he just put it off to get some other things done first. Perhaps he just thought they could manage without him. Yet, the day wore on and he never got there.
Jesus spoke these words in the Temple to the Scribes and Pharisees in front of Tax Collectors and Sinners, because the first group never backed up what they said with action. Jesus just spoke those words to us. There is a part of both of these sons in all of us. Part of the second son because our performance does not always match or promise. We give our word, but do not keep it. There is a part of the other son too because can turn the No into a Yes.
We shall be judged, not by a single act or stage in life, but by our whole life. Many great saints in the history of the church were sinners who at first said “No” to God and then changed their minds and said “Yes.” The great gift of freedom that God has given us allows us all to say “Yes” or “No,” but words are no substitute for deeds.
Since this parable then was first addressed to the Pharisees, it is now addressed to us, good people like them who have said “Yes” to the Lord. Yet, there is a question still needing a “Yes” or “No”. “Do our deeds match our words?”