Have You Fulfilled the Promises You Made to the Lord?

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church, Whittier, CA

September 30, 2017

Dearest beloved, in today’s gospel Jesus narrates a story of a father and his two bad sons (although one is better). He went to the first and said, “Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.” The first son replied, “I will not.” But after a soul searching reflection, he changed his mind and went in obedience to his father. The father went to the second son and gave him the same order. The second son replied with politeness, “Yes sir, I will go!” But never went. For Jesus, the first was the one who did his father’s will, even though he had said no at first. But it is important to point out that none of the sons in the story is the kind of son that brings full joy to a father. The first son was the first to disrespect his father. In the Jewish society, the response he gave to his father wasn’t what’s expected from a loyal son. But what he lacked in courtesy, he made up through his obedience. He became the virtuous son when he eventually went to the vineyard and worked. He did what the father wanted. The second son on the other hand, was polite, but ended up disrespecting him even further by not going to the vineyard to work. Courtesy without obedience is worthless. The ideal son would, after agreeing to do the work will eventually do it.

There’s another way to look at this gospel. But for me, I believe it highlights the two groups of Christians in the world. The first group are Christians who profess Jesus with their lips, but in their actions deny him. Their profession is better and bolder than their practice. In the gospel of Matthew 15:8 Jesus says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” They will promise anything, express outward show of piety and fidelity, but their practice is nothing to desired about. Describing such people St. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:5, “They act religious, but deny its power that could make them godly.” St. urges us, “Stay away from people like that!” The second group are Christians whose practice is bolder than their profession. Outwardly they don’t appear pious or religious. They may look tough or rough. But they are the ones who take acts of kindness seriously. To Please the Lord is more important to them than what people think they are. They are not the “Praise the Lord” type but they live more Christian lives than those who always shout, “God is good.” 

In today’s gospel, our Lord Jesus teaches us that making promises is not enough; we must fulfill the promises we make. Making a promise to do something for the Lord and for the Church is not enough, we must fulfill those promises. If we promise to do something, let’s do it. Promises can never take the place of actual performance, and fine words are never a substitute for fine deeds. The second son who promised his father that he would go to the vineyard to work, but never went had all the outward show of religion and outward mark of respect and courtesy. In his answer, he even called his father “Sir,” showing respect to his father. But his courtesy was empty since he  never did what he said he would do. True courtesy is obedience. The first son, though originally was disrespectful to his father, but won the respect and love of his father back by eventually going to the vineyard to work. 

The Christian way is the way of obedience, obedience to the Father through Jesus Christ. The Christian way is in performance and not in promise. Words are cheap; words can be deceptive. Our relationship with Jesus is deepened by deeds of charity. What gets us divine merit is deeds of charity, not empty promises. We are Christians because we follow in the footsteps of Christ. Profession of faith is important but it must be accompanied by charity. Faith professed must be demonstrated and lived out. Good deeds give life to faith. Good deeds demonstrate faith. Bad deeds and disobedience expose faith to ridicule. Christianity is a culture of profession and obedience to Jesus. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” 

In our Christian journey, we may have made many promises to God. Today, let’s review those promises and see if we have kept them. If we have not kept any of them, we have another chance to fulfill them. 1 Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ is what makes us faithful Christians. Nominal Christians only make promises and professions but never fulfill and demonstrate them. Real Christians live out the professions they make and honor the promises they make.