Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 21: 28-32
December  16, 2025 | Tuesday

Today’s Gospel

Jesus went on to say, “What do you think of this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said to him, ‘Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ And the son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ But later he thought better of it and went. Then the father went to his other son and said the same thing to him. This son replied, ‘I will go, sir,’ but he did not go.

Which of the two did what the father wanted?” They answered, “The first.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you: the publicans and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the kingdom of heaven. For John came, to show you the way of goodness, and you did not believe him; but the publicans and the prostitutes did. You were witnesses of this, but you neither repented nor believed him.

Today’s Reflection

In the Gospel passage, Jesus tells us about the parable of the two sons to illustrate the importance of doing God’s will. He speaks of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later repents and goes; the second son agrees to go but never does.

This parable underscores that God values our actions more than our words. It is not enough to profess faith or promise obedience; what matters is “actually” doing God’s will. It challenges us to scrutinize our lives and question whether we are truly living in accordance with God’s will or merely discussing it. Saint Augustine’s life provides a powerful example of this principle. Before his conversion, Augustine was known for his rhetorical skills and philosophical pursuits, but his life was marked by indulgence and waywardness. His eventual transformation was not just in his words but in his actions—he dedicated his life to serving God, becoming a bishop, and profoundly influencing Christian theology.

Indeed, the parable can serve as a practical roadmap for our lives. It urges us to transcend mere words and make our faith tangible in our actions. Are we helping the less fortunate, pardoning those who wrong us, and fighting for justice? Our actions should mirror the love and grace we have received from God. Moreover, true discipleship is not about agreeing with Jesus in theory but about following Him in practice. We should not just be hearers of the word; we must be doers. Let us strive to live out our faith authentically, ensuring that our actions speak louder than our words.

/Vulnerasti, 2025