TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS
1. STORY
John wanted to open a small restaurant to sell healthy food. He borrowed $50,000 from a bank to begin this business. Being a hard worker, he cleaned tables, washed dishes, and greeted customers. Nothing was too difficult for him. One day while he was washing dishes, he saw the bank manager come in for a meal. As he was a bit messy in appearance due to his work, he avoided the manager and told one of the employees to care for him. When the manager went to the washroom near the kitchen, John who was in the kitchen, avoided seeing him again. The next day John received a call from the bank manager inquiring how the business was going. He told John that they would be very happy to lend him more money if there was a need. He was so impressed with John’s dedication and hard work that he was sure the restaurant would be a great success.
2. GOSPEL, MT.21:28-32, THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS
A. GOD HAS WORK TO BE DONE
The father in the story who needed work to be done in his vineyard represents God who needs our help for work to be done in the world. The father naturally asked his two sons for help. God asks us for our help.
B. THE SONS’ RESPONSE
The first son said yes. He would
certainly help his father by working in the vineyard. However, he did not keep his word and gave his
father no help. The second son said no. He would not help his father by working in the
vineyard. Which son did what the father
wanted? It was the second son who
represents sinners who have repented. The
first son represents those who say yes to God in word but no to God in
action.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. WORK TO BE DONE TODAY
There are many works to be done for Jesus. Here are two for our consideration.
i. There are many Catholics who at baptism promised to follow Jesus as
disciples. Due to work, difficulties,
ignorance or laziness, they have left Jesus. They have
stopped following him.
ii. There are many who have never heard about Jesus. These may include family members, friends, co- workers, fellow students, neighbors, and strangers.
B. WE ARE GOD'S WORKERS
As the father in the parable asks his sons for help, so does God ask us,
his adopted sons for help. He wants us to do two
things.
i. He wants us to bring back those who have left him. We do this by our prayers for them, by our
good example, by being kind and concerned about them, and by inviting them back
to the Church.
ii. God wants us to contact those who do not know him and tell them about Jesus. We can invite them to go along with us to church to see how we worship and to invite them to study the doctrine in preparation for baptism. The church will make available missionary leaflets for you to distribute to such persons. We must be faithful, diligent, and persevering workers.
4. CONCLUSION
The owner of the small restaurant was such a conscientious worker that
he greatly impressed the bank manager who was sure the business would succeed. The father asked his two sons for help with
only one of the two giving help to his father. God asks us for help in bringing back the lost
sheep and by telling others about Jesus. We must be faithful workers in God’s vineyard.
