Contrasts, there are plenty of them in creation.  In the book of the Psalms, where we are constantly reminded of creation, we can see creation in action before our eyes.  Think of when the colour of the day breaks from the darkness of night.  Think of the sound of birds chirping, and people talking, breaking the silence of the night.  I came to appreciate the beauty of creation integrated into prayer only recently.  Some people have appreciated this much earlier in life, for others it might never occur to them.  I hope that I am wrong, and people will eventually appreciate it no matter how late.

St Paul reminds us in his many letters that we are children of light, children of day, not of the night nor of darkness.  There are plenty of contrasts in Matthew’s Gospel, the good and the bad, the goats and sheep, just and unjust.  Our Gospel contrasts the two sons, one accepts a request to tend the vineyard and not follow through; the other, declines, only later to follow through.  Jesus’ message was aimed at the audience who were the religious elite.  They were contrasted with the religious outcasts of tax collectors and prostitutes.  The message, is it better for sinners to become saints rather than the other way round.

But does the contrast end there?  There is a third son, the one telling this story, who says yes and keeps his word by following through to the Cross.  Jesus is our model in making our action consistent with our words.  Jesus says, my sister, my mother and my brother are those who do the will of the Father.

By Fr Hoang Dinh

Published: 29 September 2023