Only actions count

September 29 is the Feast Day of the Archangels: Gabriel, Michael and Raphael. Gabriel is the patron saint for Fr. Lejeune M.E.P. So, the parish celebrated his Feast Day on Saturday so that more parishioners could participate. Fr. Lejeune is old and wise but never feels himself too old to learn new things from us. He is one of the few priests I know who inspire. During the homily, he shared with us a story of his boyhood.
He teased himself, describing himself a naughty boy. Once he went on a retreat and the Spiritual Director told the boys that they should imitate the models set up by their patron saints. The boy Lejeune was recalcitrant. He protested, "How can I imitiate my patron? Gabriel is an angel, an archangel!" The priest smiled and asked him back, "Other than a few passages in the Old Testament about Gabriel, what other event was Angel Gabriel involved in the New Testament?" Of course, it is the Annunciation. Angel Gabriel broke the news to the Blessed Virgin that the Saviour would come to this world through her. "Right. Go and do the same! Tell the world that the Saviour has come!" Fr. Lejeune humbly confessed that probably, this was how the seed of his vocation as a missionary priest was planted. He fondly remembers this little boyhood story.
Then he related this to what the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) has to teach us. Truly, actions speak louder than words. It is action that counts. In the parable, the father told the first son to work in the vineyard. The first son said no but later repented and went. The father also told the second son to work in the vineyard. The second son said that he would go but did not. Jesus asked a very simple question.
Which of the two did the will of his father? (Matthew 21:31a)
Of course, it was the first.
Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
Only actions count. I am sure he holds this dearly in his heart. In the congratulatory message to the Shung Tak Golden Jubilee, he quoted Confucius:君子欲訥於言而敏於行。【論語‧里仁】
"A Gentleman is slow in speech but prompt in action."

Fr. Lejeune extended the parable. Actually, there are four possibilities.
1) The son could have said no and did not go. This case is not worth discussing. There are die-hard people who, for some unfortunate reasons, reject God through and through. Probably they have met some very bad, repugnant Christians who bear counter-witnesses to the love and justice of God to the people they meet. I pray for their souls.
2) The son could have agreed to go and did so. Jesus is just such a son. He obeyed the will of the Father unto death. Alleluia.
Matthew's parable covers the remaining two cases. Fr. Lejeune encouraged us to follow Jesus' footstep. Of course doing God's will is what counts, and our Heavenly Father is merciful enough to forgive when we repent. But it is also important to say yes to God. Saying yes to God enables us to do greater things. The humble Blessed Virgin said yes and became the Mother of the Saviour. In saying yes, we don't waste our energy (and God's grace) repenting. Saying yes to God has given this world one more missionary priest.

My dear Advocate, I pray for Fr. Lejeune. Protect him and keep him healthy. I pray for those who are now seriously pondering over their own vocation. Give them a little push. Boost their faith. We need more inspiring priests to feed Your flock. Amen.