The Son Who Said No: Mercy That Transforms

Ezek 18:25-28, Psalm: 24, Phil 2:1-11, Mt 21:28-32

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Today, the Word of God confronts us with a question that cuts to the heart of our relationship with God: Are we merely hearers of the Word, or are we doers? Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord declares that His ways are not our ways—His justice is not our justice. Through Saint Paul, we are invited to have the same mind as Christ, who emptied Himself and became obedient. And through the parable of the two sons, Jesus challenges the religious leaders—and us—to examine the difference between saying “yes” and doing “yes.”

In the Book of Ezekiel, the Lord addresses the complaint of the people: “The Lord’s way is not fair!” The people think God is unjust because He judges each person according to their deeds. But God declares, “When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, he shall die. But if the wicked turns from the wickedness he has committed, he shall live.” God’s justice is not the justice of a rigid accountant; it is the justice of a merciful Father who desires the conversion of the sinner. He does not rejoice in the death of the wicked, but in their repentance. This is the mercy that transforms—the mercy that turns a “no” into a “yes.”

In the Letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul gives us the ultimate example of obedience and humility. “Jesus Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.” He became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. This is the mind of Christ: a mind that does not cling to privilege, but empties itself for the sake of love. It is the mind of one who says “yes” to the Father’s will, even when it leads to suffering.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. The first says, “I will not go,” but later he changes his mind and goes. The second says, “Yes, sir,” but does not go. Jesus asks, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” The answer is obvious: the first. Then Jesus declares, “Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” The religious leaders said “yes” with their lips, but their hearts were far from God. The sinners said “no” with their lips, but their hearts were open to conversion.

The connection between the readings is the call to authentic conversion. Ezekiel calls us to turn from our wickedness and live. Paul calls us to have the mind of Christ, who emptied Himself in obedience. Jesus calls us to be like the first son, who changed his mind and did the will of his father. It is never too late to change. It is never too late to turn from our sins and embrace the mercy of God.

Pope Francis has said, “God never tires of forgiving; it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.” Saint John Paul II, in his encyclical Dives in Misericordia, wrote, “Mercy is the greatest attribute of God, and it is the mission of the Church to bring that mercy to the world.” And Saint Augustine, reflecting on the parable of the two sons, wrote, “The Lord is not pleased with a life that is only spoken, but with a life that is lived.”

What does this mean for us? We are called to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. We are called to change our minds, to turn from our sins, and to embrace the mercy of God. We are called to have the mind of Christ, who emptied Himself and became obedient. We are called to say “yes” with our lives, not just with our lips.

Today, let us examine our hearts. Are we like the first son, who said “no” but later changed his mind? Or are we like the second son, who said “yes” but did not go? Let us ask the Lord to give us the grace of conversion, to turn from our sins, and to do the will of the Father. For the way of the Lord is not fair—it is merciful. And that is our greatest hope. Amen.

May God bless you all!