Twenty-Sixth Sunday in the Ordinary Time, Year A. Ez. 18: 25-28, Ps. 24: 4-9, Phil. 2: 1-11, Mt. 21: 28-32. Theme: Not Promises but Actions. There is nothing more fearsome and complex than the exercise of justice toward delinquent persons. Todays’ gospel reading shows us a parable of two sons asked by their father to work in his vineyard for the day. The first son begins by refusing the request. “Afterwards, he changed his mind and went.” The second son agrees immediately, “Yes, sir, I will do it.” But he did not go to do it. There is no possible doubt that the first son did the will of his father. It is easier to say that we shall carry out specific jobs. We make promises and fail to fulfill them. This was the exact thing that happened to the audience of Jesus. Although the Jews had rejected the invitation of God in Jesus’ life, he had been accepted by the poor and lowly, tax collectors, sinners, and prostitutes. This is the difference between saying and doing, between promises and actions, and between appearance and reality. As it was with John the Baptist, so it was for Jesus. The lowly put to action John’s teachings while the Jews hard difficulty accepting John. Action is the test of obedience. To say “AMEN” to the word and law of God is not enough. We must obey these words and precepts. How many times have we said we should do, but fail to do it? God does not ask us to adopt a low profile life or even prolong our confession of sins, to rue the denials shown by our actions, whereas so often, in private and in public, we say amen. Our action judges us, not words we have spoken. While the intention may be as good as the action, our genuine intention cannot be actualized if there is an obstacle independent of our will because our actions usually prove the seriousness of our intentions. Our promises need to be examined in our day to day life. We need to answer whether our promises are fulfilled and face the question of our individual responsibility to one another when we make promises. Apparent outsiders may be closer to God than their supposed betters. Social or religious standing means little in the sight of God. The dictum “actions speak louder than words” is fleshed out in the parable of the two sons, neither of whom does what he says he will do. Doing good actions is better than speaking fine words. We need to walk our talk! We must mean what we say and say what we do! Our salvation depends on the cultivation of what is inside us. It is a personal responsibility. We have our freedom to say Yes to God. We also have our freedom to say No! May God help to remain faithful to our Yes! Blessings, Fr. Deniskingsley