Do what the Father wants

TALK is cheap. Obedience is priceless.

That is the sharp edge of Christ’s parable in Matthew 21:28-32. A father asks two sons to work in the vineyard. The first bluntly refuses but later changes his mind and goes. The second politely agrees but never shows up. The verdict is obvious. The first son, despite his rough beginning, did the father’s will.

The story is not really about two brothers. It is about two kinds of believers. One resists God at first but eventually surrenders. The other speaks the language of faith, projects the image of holiness, yet quietly refuses to obey when sacrifice is demanded.

Words can impress people. Actions convince God.

The parallel Gospel accounts repeatedly stress that discipleship is measured not by profession but by fidelity. The Lord consistently exposes the danger of external religiosity detached from an obedient heart. He is never fooled by appearances. He looks beyond polished speeches, pious gestures and religious credentials. He searches for a will that is ready to do the Father’s commands.

This is why the parable startled the religious leaders. They considered themselves the faithful son because they knew the Law, defended tradition and occupied positions of authority. Yet when God called them to repentance through John the Baptist and later through Christ Himself, they resisted. Their “yes” to God remained only on their lips.

Meanwhile, tax collectors and prostitutes—people dismissed as hopeless sinners—accepted the call to conversion. Their lives had begun with a loud “no,” but repentance transformed that refusal into obedience. Heaven rejoices more over one repentant sinner than over a hundred respectable appearances that never mature into genuine conversion.

The early Christian tradition saw in these two sons a mirror of every human soul. Every day we answer God’s invitations. Sometimes our pride answers first. We delay, complain or negotiate. Yet grace keeps knocking. Blessed is the person who finally says yes through action. A late obedience is still obedience.

But there is another warning. It is possible to become comfortable with religious routines while quietly resisting God’s deeper invitations. We attend worship but refuse forgiveness. We pray but cling to dishonesty. We speak about charity but ignore those in need. We defend truth but fail to practice justice. The vineyard remains unattended while we congratulate ourselves for promising to work.

Let’s be clear about this. God does not need impressive promises. He seeks faithful laborers. Real conversion is wonderfully practical. It changes schedules, priorities, relationships and habits. It reaches the workplace, the family table, the classroom and the marketplace. Faith is not completed by saying, “Lord, I will.” Faith is completed by actually going into the vineyard.

Every day offers countless opportunities to reverse our earlier refusals. Yesterday’s failures need not define today’s response. God’s patience allows us to rewrite our answer through repentance and action. The tragedy is not that we once said no. The tragedy is refusing to change after hearing His voice.

The Father is still asking. The vineyard still needs workers. The invitation has not expired. When the final account is made, heaven will not measure the elegance of our promises but the sincerity of our obedience. Better a reluctant beginning that ends in faithful action than a beautiful profession that never leaves the comfort of words.

The Gospel leaves us with one unavoidable question. Which son am I today?

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com