DO OUR ACTIONS MATCH OUR WORDS?

SABBATH

Promises cannot take the place of performance. Fine words are never a substitute for fine deeds. This is how William Barclay describes the main thrust of this parable. The son who has shown great courtesy by submitting himself to the will of his father in words is edifying. But his courtesy and verbal assent to his father’s will proved worthless since it was never translated into action. Let’s examine ourselves. Consider the many amusing words we utter to God. We participate in the Sunday liturgy and we profess our faith in our Triune God, our Church and the mysteries we hold as true. How are we able to translate these promises of belief in our own lives? We say we believe in our Father who created all things, but we destroy His creation by our lack of concern for the environment. We make our faith in the Son known by the creed we confess, but we refuse to accept His teachings that will enable us to join Him in heaven. We profess our faith in the Spirit, but we close our hearts to its promptings and stirrings to live a life that is pleasing in God’s eyes. We sing songs of praise, but we utter lies and engage in dishonest deals to get by in our daily grind. We exult God in our Alleluias even as we debase people in our minds and make evil schemes against people who have offended us. Come to think of it, our liturgies are nothing but emulative words to a God whom we see as overflowing with goodness and worthy of all our praise. In this regard we are surely never wanting. Fine words to God, we are overflowing with. But fine deeds?  Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes   Reflection Question: Do you walk your talk? It’s time to start being true to your words.   Lord, help me to be true to the faith that I profess, to bring my faith into action, and to talk less but act more.   Sts. Paul and Tatta, pray for us.