Frank was a natural athlete. He loved Baseball and he was good at it, especially in high school. His Dad told him, “Frank, you have a lot of talent, but if you want to be a pro some day, you’re going to have to practice. It’s not all just going to handed to you on a silver platter. You will have to practice, and then practice some more!” Frank heard the part about natural ability, but was deaf to the part about hard work and practice. Sadly, Frank never became the Baseball pro that he said he wanted to be.

Sarah had two sisters. The two sisters both knew that Sarah talked a good game, but when it came to follow-through—not so good. So, when their mother got sick and needed their help, it was no surprise that the one who would always drop the ball and fail to do her part was Sarah. She said all the right things, but when it came to doing, she had all the excuses ready. 

Today we meet a father and his two sons. One says “yes” to the command from his father but then does nothing. He knew what he should do, but didn’t do it. The second son says “no” at first, but then reconsiders and ends up doing the right thing in the end.

Here’s the message for us: Our lives need to be authentic—actual deeds and not just talk. Living a life of integrity and faith is not just about saying the right things but it’s also about backing what we say with what we do. The one shouldn’t contradict the other. We are sorry for our sins and we are not afraid to ask God to help us to change. It also means that we are able to sacrifice for others, especially those less fortunate than we are. 

Let me throw another variable into the mix. The worst thing is to be neutral about Christ and his commands. This leads to complacency—being “lukewarm” about those things that are important for our eventual salvation. 

Saint John Vianney, in one of his sermons, said this about being too complacent—lukewarm:

“Let me tell you that those who live in lukewarm ness are, in a certain sense, in greater danger than those who live in mortal sin. A sinner laments his condition when his conscience awakens. He even longs to leave his sinful life, and he will leave it some day. But a soul which lives in lukewarm ness never thinks of quitting that state, because he even thinks that he stands well with God.”

Something to think about. 

Christ is asking us to follow Him. 

Christ is asking us to follow Him. You and I are being asked to sacrifice and let go of some control. We can’t always assume that our schedules are only ours to manage. We must allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. These moments can actually be moments of growth for us.

Our goal is to follow Christ and not the other way around. To think life is only about what you think it should be is like being on the wrong train heading in the wrong direction. So, get on God’s train and let Him take you where you need to go. 

So, say “yes” to Christ and really mean it!!