On the one hand, this seems like a simple parable – One can easily imagine a homily about how words are cheap – action is required. It is not enough to say we will do something – we must act. When it comes to faith, we cannot just say we believe – for faith is always in action – As St James puts it, faith without works is dead.
One might also be able to imagine a homily about promises. Making a promise to do the good means we should do it - we ought to do the good. However, even if we do not promise, we should still do the good – for doing the good is what is most important, not the promise to do so.
These are not wrong readings of the parable – yet parables always have more layers – if we look closer at the parable in context, it is possible to go in deeper. This parable comes as part of a dialogue with the priests and elders – and it follows an evasive answer from them – for Christ asked a simple question: “Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” – and the response from the priests? – a non-answer – “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
If we consider this parable through this lens, a further meaning comes forward – Tax Collectors and prostitutes were considered the worst of sinners – Tax Collectors because they worked for the Roman Empire – that conquering empire hated by the Jews – Prostitutes because they sold their body for money. – No one questions that they are sinners – including the tax collectors and prostitutes – they do not claim to be righteous – they know their sins.
The priests and elders? They claim to be different – their whole lives dedicated to the law – serving God in the Temple - but who do they really work for? – When John the Baptist risked upsetting things – that put their wealth and power at risk - they helped the Romans maintain order – as they admitted – they did not listen to John the Baptist – While they may claim to do the will of God and oppose the Roman Empire – They worked with the Romans to maintain stability – and to help them maintain their wealth and power.
Suddenly, this parable becomes about hypocrisy. The tax collectors and prostitutes know they are sinners – the priests and elders? They claim to be different – yet they are doing the same thing – selling out for money – sinners just the same – Say one thing, but do another – just like that second son.
However, it is possible to look even to another layer – the two sons in the parable are asked to go out into the vineyard – St Matthew has three parables involving vineyards in quick succession across just two chapters – The vineyard is a symbol from the Old Testament for the House of Israel. Matthew picks up this symbol to also be the Kingdom of Heaven.
Now the parable is about repentance – for the Tax Collectors and prostitutes are sinners – but they heard the call for repentance and have come to the Kingdom of Heaven – Just like the first son – at first said no – but then went into the vineyard – they responded to John’s preaching.
The priests and elders? – They claim to serve the house of Israel – their lives dedicated to service in the Temple and studying the law – yet they ignored the call to repentance, thinking they had nothing to repent from – they do not repent – and do not go out into the vineyard – just like the second son. One must repent to go into the vineyard – the House of Israel – the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is a multifaceted parable and one that we really can meditate about. It is easy to think it does not apply to us – I am honest and do what I say I will; my word is trustworthy – I am not hypocritical – but are we without sin? – as GK Chesterton once remarked – “There are saints indeed in my religion: but a saint only means a man who knows he is a sinner.” – The spiritual life starts with repentance – that lesson first proclaimed by John the Baptist – heard by the tax collectors and prostitutes – ignored by the priests and elders - “Repent – for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”