Esteemed parishioners of the Blessed Sacrament and visitors,

In the parable, Jesus tells of a man with two sons. He instructed both of them to go out and work in the vineyard. The first son said, "I will not go," but later changed his mind and went. The second son said, "I will go," but he did not go.

The first son represents what the prophet Ezekiel conveyed in the first reading: "When someone evil stops sinning and does what is right and good, he saves his life. He realizes what he is doing and stops sinning, so he will certainly not die, but go on living" (Ezekiel 18:27-28). On the other hand, when someone who is righteous despises his virtuous life and turns to iniquity, they will face death-a loss of eternal life. However, God does not desire the death of a sinner; He longs for us to turn back to Him. It reminds us that our past does not define our future.

God still has two sons today. In the church, in our Christian communities, and in the world, there will always be two types of sons: those who say "Yes" at one moment and then change their "Yes" to "No," and those who have never explicitly said "Yes" to God but show love for their neighbor and perform many good deeds. It is better to say "No"first and later say "Yes" than to say "Yes" first and later change that to "No." In other words, it is better to begin badly and end well than to start well and finish poorly.

For instance, there are Christians who solemnly reject Satan, all his works, and his empty promises, and who promise to believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit. Yet, after some time, they do not live according to those promises. Sometimes, we find ourselves in the position of the son who said Yes and then No.

Let us reflect more deeply on the reality of our commitments-whether in our marriages, friendships, or our relationship with God. In marriage, in particular, in the presence of a priest and the congregation, a couple may declare their consent: "I, (name), take you, (name), to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."But the trials of life may lead them to stray from those vows.

Consider this from another perspective: How many times have we prayed in an act of contrition: "My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.... I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin," but after a few days, have found ourselves succumbing to the pressures of the world or falling back into old habits that do not honor our commitments? Nevertheless, like the first son, who changed his heart and obeyed, we can always return to the path of righteousness.

My dear brothers and sisters, it is crucial to acknowledge that the parable of the two sons challenges everyone. The central message is this: regardless of whether you have said no in the past, you can still choose to say yes. Pope Benedict XVI put it eloquently: "Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Instead, holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, and the willingness to begin again, and above all, with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness."

So, never worry if your life has had its challenges; you can still make it right. God always gives you a second chance. He understands your weaknesses and will always welcome you back as His beloved son or daughter. Whenever we recognize that we have said "No" instead of "Yes," we should recite the words of today's responsorial psalm: "Remember your mercies, O Lord.... The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not" (Psalm 25:4-5, 6-10, 8-10).

In God's service and yours.

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