In the story that Jesus tells, the first son says no, but then changes his mind and does what his father has asked. The second son says yes to what his father asked, but never gets around to it. If you’re like me, I’ve done both.
What about the son who at first says no, but later says yes? The Greek translation for “changes his mind” connotes remorse for having fallen short of what a relationship requires. Jesus addresses this story to the chief priests and elders of the people, who cannot imagine themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness. That’s why Jesus tells them this story.
But this story that Jesus tells that was intended for the chief priests and elders of the people, how does it apply to me? Well, I know there have been things that I’ve missed the mark on, that at the time I thought nothing of.
Like the time when I was first ordained and I planned an outing to Valley Fair for the 8th grade altar servers. In those days, girls weren’t allowed to be altar servers, so they weren’t going to be part of the trip.
Well, when the girls heard that I was taking the boys to Valley Fair and that they weren’t invited, they weren’t happy about it. They came to me protesting: “Fr. Bob, this is not fair! Why can’t we have a trip to Valley Fair?”
I became defensive, of course, and responded by saying, “Look girls, the trip to Valley Fair is just for altar servers, and you aren’t altar servers.” They didn’t buy it, and I don’t blame them.
Well, if I knew back then what I know today, I would have handled that so much differently. Instead of getting defensive, I would have said to the girls, “You’re right. That doesn’t seem fair. Let’s see if we can’t come up with a plan where you girls can be part of a trip to Valley Fair, too.”
If I was blind to some things back then, then maybe there are things I’m still blind to today. This means not thinking I have all the answers, and instead humbly listening to what the Holy Spirit might be telling me.
So maybe the question for us to think about is this: Like the chief priests and elders of the people, where is it that I’m convinced that I don’t need to change and can’t imagine myself seeing things any differently than I do today?
Let the story Jesus tells us speak for itself. Take a closer look and listen to what the Holy Spirit might have to say. Then, like the first son who at first said no, you might find that the very thing you resist is the very thing you’re being called to do.