This chapter of seemingly unrelated incidences poses us this question:

Do we belong to the group who diligently serve our Lord as unprofitable servants, like the donkey, or do we belong to the camp of the wicked vinedressers?

Are we like the first son, who though initially defiant but ultimately submitted and does the will of the Father, or are we like the second son who merely paid lip service to our Lord?

Do we carry out the commands of our Master faithfully, without questioning.  Knowing full well that if our Lord “has need of them”, it must be done accordingly to the word.  Or do we confront and challenge, doubting His authority and wisdom?

Are we the fig tree that satisfies our Lord in all seasons or we are just wasting the ground that nourishes us?

Do we show reverence and fear of God, that our body is truly the temple of God, a house of prayer and not a place of sin, deceit and decadence.

As we take time to reflect on these thoughts, there is one final food for thought from this chapter.

The people who joyfully sang praises and received our Lord with shouts of “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”.  Were they the same ones who were also screaming “Crucify Him”? While there is no way for us to ascertain this, there is also no need to do so.  What is more important is whether we are guilty of it, as James reminded us in his epistle (James 3), this conflict should not be in us.  We need to be truly wise and understanding and that our faith is shown through our works.