YES AND NO

PRAYER MOMENT                           

Saturday 14 June 2014

YES AND NO

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: “All you need to say is ‘Yes’ if you mean yes , ‘No’ if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33-37)

Reflection. Jesus is describing the kingdom, the rule of God, the new values that would mark the new way he is announcing. As usual, he goes straight to the heart of the matter. If your life is led by the Spirit you will say what you mean. It may have consequences but you will have peace even if you have to suffer. On the night of the Passion Peter could not do this. He answered the serving girl, ‘No, I do not know the man (Jesus).’ It can be difficult to speak the truth. There can be unpleasant results. So we prefer to lie. We lie a lot. In fact it becomes a normal way of proceeding. Saying the truth would single me out. I would have to stand up for myself. I would be on my own, an easy target. No, it is easier to lie.

Prayer. Lord, imbue us with the values of the kingdom. Give us the courage to speak the truth in our relationships, in our places of work and in all our dealings with others.  Amen..

David Harold-Barry SJ