Being Well Or Doing Well?

Rumor had it that a great prophet had risen up among a people who lived in a place far-removed from the civilized world. An American TV News team was sent out to do a story on this person. When they reached their destination, they were greeted by a disciple of the great prophet. “Tell the rest of the world,” said one of the TV reporters, “what miracle has your Master worked lately?” To which the disciple replied, “Well, there are miracles and then there are miracles. In your land it is regarded as a miracle if God does someone’s will. In our land it is regarded as a miracle if someone does the Will of God.”1

In today’s Gospel Lesson, Jesus tells a simple little story of how two brothers responded to their father’s request to work for him in his vineyard. One son responded positively, saying, “I am on the way sir.” But he never went out to the vineyard. The other responded…