26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32)

Commentary taken from The Jerome Biblical Commentary

This parable is the first of three parables of judgment. The other two parables are the Parable of the Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants and the Parable of the Marriage Feast. All three are addressed to the chief priests and elders.

A man had two sons.
The two sons do not stand for Jews and Gentiles. Rather they stand for two kinds of Jews: the faithless leaders and the faithful outcasts (public sinners). Where do the Gentile Christians stand? Among the believing sinners.

Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.
The vineyard is a symbol for Israel.

He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go.
No one will emerge triumphant from the last judgment on the basis of right words. Only a life of love and justice will count.

Which of the two did his father's will?
Obedient faith is always the final test for Matthew.

Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
Tax collectors and prostitutes are Jewish outcasts. Yet it is they who will enter the Kingdom of God ahead of the others. Why? Because they knew they needed to repent whereas the leaders considered themselves righteous and felt no need for repentance.

REFLECTION

The religious leaders thought highly of themselves. After all they scrupulously obeyed the Law. They had something to rely on. But sinners could not rely on what they did. Therefore, they relied on what was left to rely on, Jesus. They were fortunate because entry into the Kingdom is only through Jesus.