INTEGRITY: YES OR NO
Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32
The gospel reading today presents us with the parable of the two sons. Using this parable Jesus teaches us a simple truth that Christianity no be cho-cho-cho but do-do-do. The first son said all the right words to his father but never went to the field, while the second son who first refused later repented and did the work. God is not moved by our loud Amens and fine promises in church if our daily lives do not show it. He is looking for Christians whose actions match their confession; those who truly live by the Word. Our cho-cho-cho is too much, let’s go working, and witnessing.
Again, in that parable the two sons represent all human persons while the vineyard stands for the world. The man says “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” We are called to work in God’s vineyard either as clerics or as lay faithful. We have a mandate to fulfill; Paul says in Eph.4:11-12 some as apostles, others as prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors; we are to build up the body of Christ. At creation, Gen.2:15, the Bible says the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Beloved, we have been placed in a garden. Where you are presently is your garden, cultivate it and keep it. In a garden no one is idle; therefore we must all work to build up the body of Christ.
Moreso, vineyard also stands for what is inside of us. We must cultivate our inner man. We must take care of our souls because our salvation depends on how best we are able to take care of our souls. The first reading says “when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness, he shall save his life.” One efficient way to take care of our souls is to turn away from sin, through baptism and sacramental confession. But if we refuse to take care of our souls; it says we shall die. Death here does not only refer to physical death but eternal death. As we are working to make ends meet we must also work to make the ends of our souls to meet.
The Gospel also invites us to follow the way of integrity. It invites us to match our deeds and our words. Action speaks louder than words. Words are from the lips, actions are from the heart. Matt 15:8 says “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.”Beloved, integrity is words corresponding to action. Let your actions speak.
In the parable, the first son said no and eventually obeyed while the other said yes and disobeyed. Beloved, often times we said yes and we failed. We promised and we did not keep. Promise can never take the place of performance neither should fine words take the place of fine deeds. God prefers rude obedience to polite disobedience. Many of us are so polite but very rebellious. God can work with honest disobedience, but He cannot work with dishonest obedience.
We all said yes on the day of our baptism, marriage and ordination. Many of us said yes to the oath of office either as a politician, lawyer, doctor, force man or a civil servant yet we did not live up to our commitment and so integrity suffers. We took vows and broke them. Eccl.5:4-7 says (When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not protest to the temple messenger that your vow was a mistake. That would make God angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.)
Lastly, the Tax collectors, Prostitutes and sinners such as; Matthew, Zacheaus, Mary Magdalene and many others represent the first son. They initially said no but upon Christ visitation they were converted. Thus, Jesus said to the people that they are making their way into heaven. While the Scribes, Pharisees and the Elders represent the second son. They said yes, they practiced their religious belief, they were always in the temple but did not believe in John the Baptist and they did not repent (Matt. 21:32). These people said yes but were not converted. Little wonder the scriptures says in Matt. 7:21 it is not all those who say Lord Lord that shall enter into the Kingdom of God. They began well but ended badly. It is better to begin badly and end well than to begin well and end badly. You will end well in Jesus name. God bless you!
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
