JLucas (ONE LOVE ONE HEART)

GIVE IT LOVINGLY & WILLINGLY

A story is told of a lady who presented her two sweethearts to her mother on two different occasions. The first sweet heart to be presented was a pilot. The mother saw him and liked him on the spot. He was well dressed, his uniform was well pressed and his articulation of words was eloquent and that of an educated gentle man. The second sweet heat was a teacher, he was well dressed too. As time went on the lady was seen hanging around with the teacher more frequently than the pilot and the mother was concerned. She went ahead asked her daughter what was going on that she has been hanging around with this teacher more frequently than the pilot. The daughter was amazed by her question. She went ahead and answered her, mom…..”This teacher is the one I have choose over the pilot. The Pilot is good looking, he gave me all that I wanted, he bought me presents and took me all over the world, but he did not know me, and neither did I. This teacher, has nothing much to give physically, or materially, but he has given not only his love but the most precious gift I would want from a man, he gave me his TIME. I have felt his presence, he has known me, and I have known him. And I love him for that.”
In life we meet a lot of people, and it is healthy to understand that not everyone will make it to your future. Some people are just passing through to teach you a lesson in life. Some others may stay for a little while others will stay forever. Whatever the case we are called to cherish them and never be attached to them. When time comes, it is good to let them go. Do not feel sorry that they are living, do not apologise for being in different paths at one point. Just make sure in each category you learn something from them. They are there for a purpose. It may not be easy to let go from people you’ve had close ties with but sometimes it is order to restore your sanity. Your mind peace.
In every relationship, cherish and value presence than presents. You may get all presents in the world but without present those presents will mean nothing. A friend who is present is a committed person, they may and they should be committed not just to be there but to go without limit, whole hearted responding to you and to God in obedience. Without commitment to the one you love physically (man/woman), and spiritually to God, life will be meaningless, as much as one can do all they can do, have all they can have and be who they can be, it is all because of God and without his ever presence once strength will take us nowhere.
Today’s Gospel where we see these two young men, they both may have loved their father, they both may have had honest answers to their fathers command. But the question remains …. What REALLY made the difference BETWEEN TWO OF THEM?” Sometimes in life it doesn’t matter how one responds, what matter is what happens after the response.
A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard
today.’ He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went.

This is why people say “Actions speak louder than words.” This is certainly true in this reading, as the son who did as his father requested–even though he refused at first–is the one who actually “did the will of his father.” Even better still is the ability to align our actions and our words to be consistent. Notice that the first son did not addressed his father with a title, while the second one answered, “Yes sir, I will go.” (Ponder the addressing/title).
This is what makes our lives as Christians little bit challenging. I face the same challenge too. I want to live the words of the Gospel. I know what is right to be done, said and thought of. But I go for months without even thinking about it. I just flow with the world time and society demands. We all proclaim social justice and service to others but I am like the son who answered, “I will go, sir.” But he did not god.
Following through is the key. If I say I will do something I should be committed to doing it with my whole heart. This goes as far as to the promise we make to people, our own family, friends and working places. This is where the second son failed. He said he will go, but he did not go. Who knows why? There are a million excuses that we all have for why we didn’t do something we said we would do. The Gospel calls is to be people of integrity and people of action. At the end of the day, we need to do what we say we are going to do.
Finally, we all have the opportunity to change. We have time to listen to that soft voice within us, that whispers what is right and truth, but because of our human nature and our loud monkey noise within us, we end up not listening to that soft voice that encourages us to retreat our steps, swallow our pride and do what we are called to do. The first son said he will not do what his father asked, yet he changed his mind and eventually goes to work as his father requested. I, WE can do the same.
Often, in the sins of my words or actions, I turn my back on one and the only lover who has given me his time and presence, and go running to those who give me present. I end up refusing to God’s will. But I know that I can be like the good son and change course, even after I refuse. I pray that God will welcome me to work in the vineyard. Like the lady in the beginning of the story, I ask that I may give God my time and presence so that I can be “married to Him” that I may have time for him, to know him for He already knows me.
Prayer

• Like the second son in today’s Gospel, Lord, I, We make promises we do not keep. We get lazy, mediocre and lukewarm turning away from the work in the vineyard which you ask us to do. Please give ME/US another chance when I/WE stumble, and usher us one day into your kingdom. AMEN.