The Two Sons

Write out my prediction on a piece of paper  (i.e. Grey elephant from Denmark?)

 

Think of a number between 5 and 10

 

Subtract 5

 

Multiply by 3

 

Multiply the number you get by itself- in other words, square it.

 

Add the digits of the resulting number together until you get a single digit, e.g. if the number is 123- add 1+2+3 to get 6. If the number goes to 2 digits, add those together until you have one digit.

 

If the number you now have is greater than 5, take 4 away, otherwise add 5

 

Multiply by 2

 

Subtract 6

 

Now give your number a letter of the alphabet in this way, if your number is 1, That’s  A. 2=B, 3=C and so on…

 

Now you have a letter instead of a number

 

Now write down on your paper a country beginning with your letter.

 

Now write down a mammal beginning with the second letter of your country

 

Now write down the colour of the mammal you chose.

Open prediction paper:-

 

How many of you have a Grey elephant from Denmark?

I’m not really a mind reader, there was a trick to that test!

 

However God has given all of us minds with which to think, minds with which to make decisions.

Such as

There are people sitting here today who have recently made those very decisions.

 

In our gospel reading today there is a story about two young men…two sons whose father had asked them both to work in his vineyard. (in other words I’d like you to respond to what I ask you to do for me)

 

One said ‘NO’ but later changed his mind and went

The other said, ‘YES’, but he did not go.

 

Jesus parable seems to be aimed at the fact that sinners, even though their lives had taken a turn for the worst, seemed to be turning TO God and saving their souls. (Mary Magdalene*)  On the other hand the so called ‘holy’ people i.e. the Jewish leaders, Scribes and Pharisees, had become blind and hypocritical, hardened to God and His will.

 

Which of the two did what the Father wanted? Jesus asked his disciples.

 

Personally I don’t think either of these two sons were ideal children, both were imperfect, but at least to eventually do God’s will was I suppose the better way.

 

How much more perfect does that make Jesus, the son who was perfect, who said YES..YES... Your will be done!  His YES took him all the way to the cross. Let us base our lives on his example, and pray Lord help us to say ‘YES’. (difficult word for adults)*