The Son Who Changed His Mind
There is something wonderfully unsettling about a man who changes his mind.
We ordinarily admire consistency. We like people who mean what they say, keep their promises, and stand by their decisions. Yet in this morning’s Gospel, the son who initially refuses his father’s request is the one who finally does his will.
The difference is not that one son was polite and the other rude. It is that one allowed his heart to change.
As another Sunday dawns, we come before God with our promises, our unfinished duties, and perhaps a few refusals we would rather forget. The Father has not withdrawn his invitation. There is still work to be done in his vineyard.
And there is still time to say yes.
I. MORNING PRAYER
Opening Verse
Lord, open my lips. And my mouth shall declare thy praise.
Invitatory
Antiphon: Come, let us adore the Lord, for he is our God.
Psalm 94 (95)
Venite, exsultemus
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods.
For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.
For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart.
And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon: Come, let us adore the Lord, for he is our God.
Psalmody
The appointed psalmody for Sunday, Week II, is Psalm 117 (118), Daniel 3:52–57, and Psalm 150. The short reading is Ezechiel 36:25–27.
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First Psalm — Psalm 117 (118)
The Lord’s mercy endureth for ever.
Antiphon: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Alleluia.
1. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2. Let Israel now say that he is good: that his mercy endureth for ever.
3. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4. Let them that fear the Lord now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5. In my trouble I called upon the Lord: and the Lord heard me, and enlarged me.
6. The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me.
7. The Lord is my helper: and I will look over my enemies.
8. It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man.
9. It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in princes.
10. All nations compassed me about; and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them.
11. Surrounding me they compassed me about: and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them.
12. They surrounded me like bees, and they burned like fire among thorns: and in the name of the Lord I was revenged on them.
13. Being pushed I was overturned that I might fall: but the Lord supported me.
14. The Lord is my strength and my praise: and he is become my salvation.
15. The voice of rejoicing and of salvation is in the tabernacles of the just.
16. The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength.
17. I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord.
18. The Lord chastising hath chastised me: but he hath not delivered me over to death.
19. Open ye to me the gates of justice: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord.
20. This is the gate of the Lord, the just shall enter into it.
21. I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.
22. The stone which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner.
23. This is the Lord’s doing: and it is wonderful in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein.
25. O Lord, save me: O Lord, give good success.
26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27. The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us. Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs, even to the horn of the altar.
28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will praise thee, because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
29. O praise ye the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Alleluia.
Old Testament Canticle — Daniel 3:52–57
The praise of the three young men
Antiphon: Let us sing a hymn of praise unto our God. Alleluia.
52. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever: and blessed is the holy name of thy glory: and worthy to be praised, and exalted above all in all ages.
53. Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory: and exceedingly to be praised, and exceeding glorious for ever.
54. Blessed art thou on the throne of thy kingdom, and exceedingly to be praised, and exalted above all for ever.
55. Blessed art thou, that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
56. Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.
57. All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon: Let us sing a hymn of praise unto our God. Alleluia.
Second Psalm — Psalm 150
Let every spirit praise the Lord.
Antiphon: Praise the Lord for his infinite greatness. Alleluia.
1. Praise ye the Lord in his holy places: praise ye him in the firmament of his power.
2. Praise ye him for his mighty acts: praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness.
3. Praise him with sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp.
4. Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs.
5. Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy:
6. Let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon: Praise the Lord for his infinite greatness. Alleluia.
Short Reading
Ezechiel 36:25–27
And I will pour upon you clean water, and you shall be cleansed from all your filthiness, and I will cleanse you from all your idols.
And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit in the midst of you: and I will cause you to walk in my commandments, and to keep my judgments, and do them.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory
Lord, renew our hearts, that we may walk in thy ways.
Teach us to hear thy word and to accomplish thy will.
Lord, renew our hearts, that we may walk in thy ways.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Lord, renew our hearts, that we may walk in thy ways.
Gospel of the Day
Matthew 21:28–32
The Parable of the Two Sons
28. But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29. And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went.
30. And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not.
31. Which of the two did the father’s will? They say to him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.
32. For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
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Benedictus
The Canticle of Zachary — Luke 1:68–79
Antiphon: Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people:
69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant:
70. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning:
71. Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us:
72. To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament,
73. The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us,
74. That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear,
75. In holiness and justice before him, all our days.
76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:
77. To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins:
78. Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:
79. To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon: Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
Intercessions
Christ our Lord calls us into his vineyard and gives us the grace to accomplish his Father’s will. With confidence in his mercy, let us pray.
Response: Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For the Holy Father, bishops, priests, deacons, and all who serve the Church: that their words and actions may bear faithful witness to the Gospel, and that they may lead God’s people by humility and example, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For those who govern nations and communities: that they may seek justice, protect the vulnerable, and fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For those who have wandered from the faith, postponed repentance, or come to believe that they are beyond forgiveness: that they may hear the Father’s invitation anew and find courage to return, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For our families and homes: that we may be quick to forgive, faithful in small duties, and generous in serving one another without waiting to be asked, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For those who work, those seeking employment, and those whose daily labor goes unnoticed: that their efforts may be fruitful and their dignity respected, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For the sick, the lonely, the grieving, and those carrying burdens known only to God: that they may receive consolation, practical help, and the companionship of those who love them, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For the faithful departed, especially those of our families and communities: that the Lord, rich in mercy, may welcome them into eternal light, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
For ourselves: that we may recognize where our good intentions have remained merely words, and receive the grace to make a new beginning today, we pray.
Lord, give us hearts ready to obey.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Concluding Prayer
Almighty and merciful Father, whose power is made known in forgiveness and whose goodness calls sinners to new life, look kindly upon us this Sunday morning.
Remove from our hearts the pride that resists thy word and the fear that delays our obedience. Grant that we may not be content with promises alone, but may faithfully accomplish the work thou hast entrusted to us.
Renew us by thy Holy Spirit, strengthen us in charity, and bring us at last to the joy of thy heavenly kingdom.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
II. THE CHESTERTONIAN DEVOTIONAL
The Paradox of the Day
The son who said no became obedient; the son who said yes remained in rebellion.
Chesterton for the Morning
The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.
— G. K. Chesterton, What’s Wrong with the World, Part I, Chapter V, “The Unfinished Temple.”
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A Chestertonian Meditation
The Man Who Finally Went to Work
There is a particular kind of optimism that exists only at the breakfast table.
A man sits with his coffee and surveys the day ahead. He will repair the gate, clear the garage, write the letter, telephone the friend he has neglected, and perhaps finally tackle that mysterious noise coming from the washing machine.
By nine o’clock, he has made an excellent plan.
By noon, he has made another cup of coffee.
By evening, the gate is still broken, the garage remains a monument to unfinished civilization, and the washing machine continues its private rebellion against domestic peace.
But the plan was magnificent.
We are rather fond of our plans. They allow us to enjoy the moral satisfaction of having done something without enduring the inconvenience of actually doing it.
A promise can be made in a comfortable chair. Obedience generally requires getting out of it.
This is the rather uncomfortable territory into which Our Lord takes us in today’s Gospel.
A father has two sons and a vineyard that needs tending. He asks the first son to go and work. The young man refuses. There is no attempt at diplomacy, no elaborate excuse, no suggestion that he might consider the matter after consulting his calendar.
He simply says no.
The second son gives the answer every father would prefer to hear. He is agreeable, respectful, and apparently ready to serve. He addresses his father as sir and assures him that he will go.
But he does not go.
The first son, meanwhile, changes his mind and goes into the vineyard.
And Christ asks a question so simple that even his opponents must answer it correctly: Which son did the father’s will?
The answer is the first.
The astonishing thing is not that Jesus praises obedience. The astonishing thing is that he locates it in the man whose first answer was disobedience.
The first son has a past. The second has a reputation.
Only one has actually gone to work.
The Curious Business of Changing One’s Mind
We live in a world that places a considerable premium upon consistency.
A man who changes his mind is frequently accused of weakness. A public admission of error is treated as an embarrassment. We admire the person who stands firm, even when he is standing firmly in the wrong place.
Yet Christianity has always regarded repentance as one of the greatest acts a human being can perform.
Repentance is not merely feeling bad about something. It is a turning. The mind changes, the will follows, and the feet begin moving in another direction.
The first son did not simply reconsider his father’s request as an interesting philosophical proposition. He went into the vineyard.
His repentance acquired hands and feet.
This is precisely what makes the parable so hopeful.
Our Lord does not tell us that the first son had always been good. He does not suggest that his refusal was secretly virtuous. The refusal was wrong. But it was not the end of the story.
The son could still turn.
We may have spent years resisting a duty, neglecting a relationship, nursing a resentment, or keeping God at a courteous distance. We may have said no so often that it has become our customary answer.
But yesterday’s refusal does not have to become today’s decision.
The vineyard is still there.
The Danger of Being Agreeable
The second son presents a more subtle problem.
He says exactly what he ought to say.
He understands the vocabulary of obedience. He knows how to address his father. He has learned the correct response.
There is no indication that he intended to insult anyone. He may even have believed himself when he promised to go.
But his words never become deeds.
This is a danger particularly familiar to religious people.
We know the prayers. We know the commandments. We can explain why forgiveness is necessary, why charity matters, and why humility is indispensable.
We can even become quite eloquent about the importance of serving others.
And then someone asks us to do something inconvenient.
The theory of charity is delightful. The practice may involve carrying groceries, visiting a lonely neighbor, apologizing to a spouse, or giving up a perfectly good afternoon.
The second son is not merely a hypocrite in some distant biblical story. He is the man who appears whenever we mistake our approval of goodness for goodness itself.
Chesterton understood this distinction.
He did not imagine that Christianity had failed because the demands of the Gospel were insufficiently attractive. The trouble was that the Christian ideal was difficult, and men frequently preferred discussing it to attempting it.
There is a vast difference between admiring a cathedral and laying a stone.
There is an equally vast difference between admiring the saints and becoming one.
The Publicans and the Harlots
Christ makes the parable more uncomfortable still.
He tells the chief priests and elders that publicans and harlots are entering the kingdom of God before them.
This is not because sin has suddenly become a virtue, nor because religious duty is unimportant.
It is because the people who appeared furthest from righteousness believed John’s message and repented, while those who considered themselves its guardians refused to change.
The scandal is not that God overlooks sin.
The scandal, to human pride, is that God forgives sinners who return to him.
A respectable man may be so occupied with preserving his reputation that he cannot bear to admit he needs mercy. A notorious sinner may have no reputation left to defend and may therefore discover the freedom of telling the truth.
The latter is not automatically holier. But he has ceased pretending.
There is a peculiar freedom in that moment.
The first son can say, in effect, that he was wrong. He can abandon the position he took five minutes earlier. He need not spend the rest of the day defending an answer that ought never to have been given.
He can simply go to work.
A New Heart
The short reading from Ezechiel gives us the deeper meaning of this change.
God promises to remove the stony heart and give his people a heart of flesh.
A stone is wonderfully consistent. It remains where it is placed. It does not repent, reconsider, or respond to love.
A living heart is different.
It can be wounded, softened, awakened, and changed.
The Lord does not merely demand that we manufacture better intentions. He offers the grace by which our hearts may become capable of responding to him.
This matters because repentance is not a triumph of willpower performed in isolation. It is our cooperation with divine mercy.
God calls. Grace moves. We answer.
And sometimes the answer begins with the humble admission that our previous answer was wrong.
The Sunday Eucharist places this truth before us in a particularly beautiful way.
We do not approach the altar as people who have perfectly fulfilled every promise. We begin by acknowledging our sins and asking for mercy.
We hear the Word. We receive the Lord. We are sent forth.
The movement is from confession to communion, and from communion to action.
The Mass is not an agreeable religious appointment that allows us to return home unchanged. It is the encounter in which Christ gives us himself so that we may live differently.
The vineyard awaits us beyond the church doors.
Today, Not Someday
There is one small word in the father’s command that deserves attention.
Today.
He does not ask his son to develop a five-year plan for vineyard management. He does not request a statement of agricultural principles or an essay on the dignity of labor.
He asks him to work today.
Much of the Christian life takes place in that small and rather inconvenient word.
We may intend to forgive someone eventually. We may plan to return to confession when circumstances become more favorable. We may hope to spend more time in prayer once life becomes less complicated.
But life has a habit of remaining complicated.
The father asks for today’s obedience.
That obedience may be very small. It may consist of a telephone call, a quiet apology, a visit, an honest day’s work, or a few minutes of prayer offered without distraction.
It may involve doing the duty directly in front of us rather than dreaming of some grander vocation in which we would undoubtedly be heroic.
The vineyard does not require every worker to perform a spectacular deed. Most of its work consists of ordinary tasks repeated faithfully.
The first son did not become remarkable by making a remarkable speech.
He went.
And that is where this Sunday morning leaves us.
Perhaps we have said no to something God has been asking of us. Perhaps we have said yes so often that we have forgotten the difference between promising and doing.
Either way, the Father has not ceased to call.
The sun is rising. The gate is open. The vineyard is waiting.
And the man who said no yesterday may yet be the man who goes to work today.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, give me the humility to change my mind when I am wrong, the courage to repent when I have sinned, and the grace to accomplish thy Father’s will.
Let my faith be known not only by what I profess, but by the love with which I live.
Amen.
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