Have you ever said to God, “Lord, I will change.”
“Lord, I will pray more.”
“Lord, I will control my temper.”
“Lord, I will forgive.”
“Lord, I will stop this bad habit.”
And then, after one week… we are back to where we started.
Thank God He is very patient with us!
If we listen carefully, our three readings today tell us one story—the story of our “yes” and our “no” to God.
In the first reading, Ezekiel tells us that a person can change direction. Someone who has done wrong can turn away from sin, do what is right, and live.
In other words, our “no” to God does not have to be our final answer. And that is exactly what Jesus shows us in the Gospel.
A father asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first says, “I will not.” But later, he changes his mind and goes. The second says, “Yes, sir.” Beautiful words! Very obedient! But he never goes.
So which son did the father’s will? The one who changed his “no” into a “yes”—not simply with his mouth, but with his life.
And then comes our second reading from Philippians. Saint Paul takes us even deeper. If Ezekiel tells us that we can change, and the Gospel tells us that our change must become action, Saint Paul shows us what our “yes” to God should look like. Look at Jesus. Jesus did not simply say “Yes” to the Father. He lived His “Yes.” He emptied Himself. He humbled Himself. He became obedient—even unto death, death on a cross.
So the three readings fit beautifully together:
Ezekiel says: Change your direction.
The Gospel says: Let your actions prove your change.
Saint Paul says: Let Jesus be your model.
Brothers and sisters, Christianity is not simply about saying the right things. It is about choosing what is right and living it.
Every day, life places choices before us.
When money tempts us to become dishonest, choose what is right.
When pride prevents us from saying sorry, choose humility.
When anger tells us to take revenge, choose forgiveness.
When personal interest tempts us to compromise our conscience, choose God.
And sometimes, choosing God is difficult.
The road that brings us home
Let me end with an inspiring story.
A father and his young son were walking along a road when they came to a crossroads.
The little boy asked, “Papa, which road should we take?”
The father pointed to one road and said, “That road is shorter and easier, but it will take us away from home.”
Then he pointed to the other road and said, “That road is longer and more difficult, but it will take us home.”
The boy thought for a moment. Then he reached for his father’s hand and said: “Papa, let us take the road that brings us home.”
Final Words
Brothers and sisters, every day we also come to crossroads.
The road of dishonesty or integrity.
The road of selfishness or service.
The road of resentment or forgiveness.
The road of convenience or conscience.
The road that leads to God is not always the easiest road. Jesus Himself showed us this. His road led to the Cross—but the Cross ultimately led to resurrection and life.
So whenever we come to a crossroads, perhaps we should ask ourselves one simple question: “Will this choice bring me closer to God or farther away from Him?”
And then, like that little boy, let us take the Father’s hand and say: “Lord, I choose the road that brings me home.”