09/26/2026
Jesus Gospel story of A man had two sons; one says no to his fatherโs request and later changes his mind and does the will of his father the other says yes but does not do it the will of his father.
There is a great deal of humility in being willing to change our mind. Some people sometimes imagine that strength means sticking to what they have said, whatever happens. Some do not want to appear inconsistent or admit that their first reaction may have been wrong. Yet there are moments when changing our mind is not a sign of weakness at all, but of wisdom.
So, there is something of each of the two sons in us. At times some of us may be like the second son: quick to say โyesโ, perhaps with the best of intentions, but slowly to turn that promise into action. At other times we are like the first: our quick response is โnoโ, but something happens within us and we reconsider. Jesus advises that what matters is not simply the first word that leaves our lips, but where we eventually allow our heart to go.
Words come quickly, but our heart can be a bit slower. God leaves room for second thoughts, for changed minds and new beginnings.
We can also find ourselves on the receiving end of someone else changing their mind. Perhaps they once refused us, disagreed with us, or took a position that disappointed us, and then later thought differently.
When that happens, we should resist the temptation to remind them too quickly of what they once said. If we hope that others will give us room to change, we must offer them the same courtesy.
Jesus is not particularly interested in which son gave the better first answer; he is interested in who eventually went to do the will of the father who loves both of them. There is always space between our first response and what we finally choose
to do and do.
