Jesus Teaches on God’s Mercy

Jesus used a parable about two sons to teach the chief priests and elders about God's mercy during the Gospel reading for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, according to CatholicPhilly.

In the parable, a father asks two sons to work in a vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later changes his mind and goes to work, while the second son agrees to go but fails to show up. When Jesus asked the leaders which son acted correctly, they identified the first son.

Jesus used the story to criticize the leaders for failing to recognize God's ways. He noted that while tax collectors and prostitutes believed John the Baptist when he preached righteousness, the leaders did not believe him or change their minds. The report suggests the first son represents sinners who repent to embrace God's mercy, while the second son represents leaders who claim to follow God but do not act on that commitment.