Sunday Meditation: The Parable of the Two Sons

This week after Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem, cleansing the Temple, cursing the fig tree, and refusing to tell the Chief Priest and Elders by whose authority He performs, he tells them the Parable of the Two Sons. 

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:

"What is your opinion?

A man had two sons.

He came to the first and said,

'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'

He said in reply, 'I will not,'

but afterwards changed his mind and went.

The man came to the other son and gave the same order.

He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go.

Which of the two did his father's will?"

They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,

tax collectors and prostitutes

are entering the kingdom of God before you.

When John came to you in the way of righteousness,

you did not believe him;

but tax collectors and prostitutes did.

Yet even when you saw that,

you did not later change your minds and believe him."

~Mt 21:28-32

This is one of the few parables that actually is not difficult to understand, and I think it’s because Jesus wants to be crystal clear to the Elders at the Temple.  It may be simple but it cuts to the heart.  Fr. Joseph Mary has a wonderful explanation of the parable. 

The first son has a change of heart.  The second son paid lip service and disobeyed.  Of course Jesus is indicting the Elders as the second son.

Meditation: “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.”