The Second Son — Matthew 21:23-32 · Proper 21, Year A
from Monday To Sunday Hosted by Joe Stein
A father has two sons and one job for them: go work in the vineyard. The first says no and walks off. The second says yes, sir, on my way, nice and polite about it. Only one of them actually shows up, and it isn't the polite one. This is the midweek show. You heard three readings on Sunday and a sermon on top of them, and by now most of it is gone. That is what a week does to things. So we go back and sit with the same readings again, slower. Proper 21, Year A: Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32. The Greek is kenoō, the verb underneath "he emptied himself" in the Philippians hymn. It is the word for pouring out a container until there is nothing left in it, draining a jar all the way. In the hymn, what Jesus says about himself and what he does with his own life are the same motion. That is exactly what the second son never manages. His words were fine. Nothing behind them ever left the porch. Also in this episode: why "Is the Lord among us or not?" is an accusation dressed up as a question, asked by people eating bread that fell from the sky that morning; how Psalm 78 reads Israel's own history back to them like a baby book; why "work out your own salvation" is a labor verb; and which of the two sons Joe usually turns out to be. Two things to try before Sunday: say the true thing you already know instead of the question you're used to reaching for, and go stand in the field for ten minutes. Monday to Sunday is hosted by Joe Stein. New episodes Tuesday and Thursday. Full archive and written companions at mondaytosunday.life.
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