Wow, this Word of God speaks so directly to us in our year of 2026, because it is a year when many still feel discouraged, divided, or simply tired of promises that never seem to turn into action. And so first, in the Book of Ezekiel, we hear the people say, “The Lord’s ways are not fair.” And God responds, “Is it my way that is not fair?” The Lord reminds them that a person who turns away from sin will live. In other words, your past does not have to define your future. You can turn, you can change, you can begin again. And then we come to the Gospel of Matthew. And Jesus tells this familiar parable of the two sons. A father asks both to work in the vineyard. One says, “I will not.” But later changes his mind. The other says, “Yes, sir.” But he never goes out. The question that Jesus asks is a piercing one today. He says, “Which of the sons did the father’s will?” And of course, it’s not the one with the right words. It’s the one who had the change of heart. And that’s what speaks, I think, so powerfully to us this year. Because in our year of 2026, there is no shortage of words or promises or statements or posts that do not trouble us at times. The Gospel, we’re reminded, isn’t about saying the right things. It’s about conversion, and then having that conversion show up in action.

Let me share a simple story that highlights this: there was a teacher who once had a student that was constantly disruptive. And one day, after another outburst by the student, he crossed his arms and he said, “I’m not going to do any work today.” And the teacher simply replied very calmly, “Okay, we’ll see.” Now, for most of the morning, the student refused. But just before lunch, that same student decided to pick up his pencil and he began one of the assignments. It wasn’t perfect work. It wasn’t dramatic. But it was real. And what the teacher said to the student at the end of the day is, “What mattered wasn’t what you said this morning. What matters is what you chose this afternoon.” That’s the Gospel.

Some of us may feel like the first son. Maybe we have resisted God. Maybe we have said no in a big or small way through resentment or indifference or some delay. The good news is this: it’s never too late to change our direction, to change our minds. Others of us may sound like the second son. We’re polite. We’re religious, saying the right prayers. But our lives are not fully aligned with what we profess. And this reading reminds us today that the Lord is interested not in our declarations, but he’s more interested in our direction. He’s more interested in our direction. So friends, the vineyard is still there. The invitation is still given, and the conversion is still possible. Jesus reminds us that what matters is doing the Father’s will, even if we start at it late. So wherever you find yourself today, this message is hopeful. Even if yesterday was a no, today can be a yes.