Fine Words and Fine Deeds

The parable of the two sons is very instructive (Matt 21:28-32). The father approached his first son and asked him to go to the vineyard to work. The first son told the father he would not go to the vineyard. He later changed his mind and carried out the wishes of his father. The father also approached the second son with the same request. The second son enthusiastically agreed to do what the father commanded. But he would not lift even a finger.

Jesus uses this parable to teach us some fundamental truths about the Christian life. Christianity is not about words but actions; not fine words but fine deeds; not what we say but what we do; not profession of faith but performance of faith; not external obedience but interior compliance; not sweet talk but long walk. Talk is cheap. We need to walk our talk.

This parable has a special resonance for all Christians, especially Catholics.  We made a number of promises to God at our baptism, confirmation and matrimony. What matters is not what we promise publicly, not what we say we are or what we want people to believe we are. The most important thing is promises kept and not promises pronounced; internal disposition and   not external propositions; internal appropriation of our religious values and not good resolution.

Jesus wants us to be very careful about labeling people. The Lord wants us to be very cautious about putting people in the categories that they do not belong. At first glance, the first son may appear to be disobedient and the second son obedient. We should exercise some caution about assessing the moral stand of an individual; whether good or bad.

Often our assessment is short-sighted; at best, one-sided. Even outrightly wrong. Since our judgment is only external. We judge only the appearance. Appearance is not reality. At least, appearance is not the whole of reality. What a person is and what a person appears to be are not exactly the same thing.

The person who appears to be disobedient may well be doing the will of God. As it often happens in history, the bad can turn out to be good, and the good bad. Man looks at appearance while God looks at the heart (1Sam 16:7). The Lord is asking us to choose between lip-service and selfless service. Fine words can never replace fine deeds.