.

“What is your opinion? A man had two sons:. Mt 28:28-32

I imagine the father standing with his two sons surrounded by many workers. One son sought to keep the peace and lied to his father “yes I will go”, but had no intention of going to the vineyard. The second son honestly said would not do what his father wanted.

Christians are often accused of being hypocrites, saying one thing and doing another. But I know I am a bit like this since I profess belief in Christ and too often fail to live this. There is some integrity in acknowledging this resistance to the will of the father.

Note that the turning point in this encounter was when the second son, moved with repentance, changed his mind and decided to do what the father asked.

In this turning he becomes an example of what it is to have faith by living in harmony with our deepest desire which is not to follow our own whims but to follow God’s desire for us.

And an encouragement from St. John of the Cross whose feast we celebrate today:

“God has to work in the soul in secret and in darkness because if we fully knew what was happening, and what Mystery, transformation, God and Grace will eventually ask of us, we would either try to take charge or stop the whole process.”
St. John of the Cross

Click the candle image below to share a prayer or to pray in response to another reader’s request.