The Woman At The Well

“What is your opinion?”  (Matt21:28)

The parable of the man with two sons who were told to work in the vineyard has been given many different thoughts through the years. From the Jewish perspective, Israel is the vineyard; the first son who changed his mind represents the prostitutes and tax collectors- the lowest socio-economic group; the second son represents the chief priests and elders, who lead the people on their religious journey.

“Which of the two sons did the father’s will?” (Matt21: 30). The answer as explained by Jesus infuriated the religious leaders: “How dare Jesus assert the greatness of John the Baptist over them? John, a misfit, who preached repentance; one, whose followers were not equal to them, they thought. Humility be dammed; we have been set apart, been given places of honor in the temple, and WE should be placed highest in heaven’

From 1957-1975, William Barclay, the noted Scottish theologian, in his book: Gospel of Matthew Volume 2 asserts this parable is “the better of two bad sons.” Both sons are imperfect; neither son by their actions, honor or respect their father. He further says, the second son symbolizes a class of men whose words profess one thing, but then they do not follow through with their performances, their deeds. Most telling, in his book, The Mind of Jesus, p128, Barclay opinions: the sin Jesus most condemns is hypocrisy- a Greek word meaning ‘actor’. The second son uses courtesy calling the father, ”Sir”, but true courtesy he says is “obedience, willingly and graciously given.”

Many, in my unscientific poll, equate the response of the sons to children of today: children promise anything; if they change their mind most justify their inaction, or do it out of a fear of retribution. The second son is “just rebellious,” saying no as a matter of habit. Obedience, daresay love, seem to be missing. One person offered the thought-The father has to be worthy of respect to get obedience. God the Father and repentance never enter into their mind. Clearly, much prayer is needed and perhaps a time-out with a teaching moment: WWJD? Free will is man’s choice: to obey or disobey. When man cannot comprehend, man follows something he can understand- his own opinion.

Bishop John A. Marshall, Who Do You Say I Am? notes: human relationships like father and son can change, but the relationship between God and man can never change. He is the Creator, we are his creatures and as creatures we are expected to obey. So man must ask: Am I able to unite myself perfectly to the will of the Father? By following God’s will, man is perfecting himself in the image and likeness of God.

St John Vianney uses this parable as an example of man’s indifference, a lackadaisical outlook, believing: “What I am doing is acceptable to enter the kingdom of God.” Man is leaving God out of his mind-set, thus missing out on the many blessings man could have in his life.

St Jerome sums up: “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.”