In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of two sons who are asked by their father to go and work in his vineyard. One son initially says, “No,” but later changes his mind and goes. The other quickly says, “Yes,” but never actually goes to work. Jesus uses this simple story to ask us an important question: Is our faith merely something we profess with our lips, or is it something we live through our actions? That question has particular meaning as we celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees this Sunday and prepare to begin Respect Life Month in October.
A few years ago, I heard the expression “Catholic-lite” used to describe a well known politician who publicly identifies as Catholic but accepts only those teachings of the Church that happen to fit their political beliefs. It is an interesting expression. We usually associate “lite” with food or beer that contain less of something. But there is no such thing as a “lite” version of Catholicism. Being Catholic is not a buffet where we select the teachings we like and leave the rest behind. We do not get to choose which parts of the Gospel are convenient and which are not. When we say “yes” to Christ, we are saying yes to the whole Gospel and to the fullness of truth He has entrusted to His Church. And one of the most fundamental truths of our Catholic faith is this: every human life has God-given dignity and is worthy of our protection and care.
That is why for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme “Even Just One of These Children,” taken from Jesus’ words: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” The Holy Father is drawing particular attention to children who are migrants and refugees—children who may have been separated from their families, exposed to violence, exploited, or forced to flee their homes. The message is beautifully simple: even one child matters. In the eyes of God, human beings are never merely numbers, statistics, categories, or problems. Every person has a dignity that comes from being created in the image and likeness of God. That dignity does not depend upon where someone was born, how much money they have, whether they are young or old, healthy or sick, born or unborn, a citizen or a refugee. Every human life matters because every human life belongs to God. This is at the heart of what it means to be Catholic.
As we begin October, Respect Life Month, we are reminded that the Catholic commitment to life must be consistent and comprehensive. We defend the child in the womb because that child is a human person. We care for the mother facing pregnancy because she, too, is a human person in need of love and support. We stand with the elderly, the sick, the disabled, the poor, the lonely, and those approaching the end of life. We see the face of Christ in the migrant and refugee. The Church's defense of life is therefore not a political slogan. It is a consequence of our faith in Jesus Christ. We are pro-life because to follow Christ is to recognize and defend the God-given dignity of every human person.
This brings us back to the two sons in today's Gospel. One said “yes” but never went. The other initially said “no,” but eventually changed his heart and did what his father asked. Perhaps the question for each of us is not simply, “Do I call myself Catholic?” The deeper question is: Does my life show that I am Catholic? Do my words and actions reflect the Gospel? Do I recognize Christ in the vulnerable? Am I willing to defend human dignity even when it is inconvenient? Do I welcome the stranger, care for the suffering, protect the unborn, accompany the elderly, and support families in need?
There is no “Catholic-lite” version of the Gospel. Jesus invites us into the fullness of His truth—and into the work of His vineyard.
