I used to be a “yes man” when I was younger. Whenever I was asked to do something or go somewhere, my default answer was, “OK.” It worked fine for getting me to try new things and meet new people. But it became a problem when I found myself saying yes again and again but what I really wanted was to say no. Two things began to happen: I became burnt out and bitter. 

Later, I learned that to say yes to the right things, I also have to say no to the wrong things. Because by saying yes to everything, I am actually saying no to other good things. 

We don’t have the time and energy for everything, so we have to choose. We do this every day, whether we know it or not. The problem is we often slide unaware into our defaults instead of intentionally choosing the right things. 

Do you want to say yes to Jesus? If so, what things do you need to say no to? Mon Reyes (rizmonreyes@gmail.com)

 Reflect:

Assess your default state, and do your best to be mindful. Are you someone who needs to say yes more, or are you someone who needs to say no more? 

Father, even our capacity to say yes to You is Your gift. We pray for wisdom and discernment as we make our big and small decisions today. Help us say yes to the right things and no to the wrong things. Amen. 

Saint Athanasius, bishop and Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Peter argued that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. People should no longer return to old practices when Jesus made a New Covenant with humanity. Peter’s words were met with silence, indicating that his argument was accepted. It was James, considered as the first bishop of Jerusalem, who made the final ruling. This introduces the role of the bishop early in the Church’s life. 

⁷ After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. ⁹ He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. ¹⁰ Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹ On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” ¹² The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. ¹³ After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴ Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. ¹⁵ The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: ¹⁶ After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, ¹⁷ so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, ¹⁸ known from of old. ¹⁹ It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. ²¹ For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.” 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 10

R: Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. 

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. ² Sing to the Lord; bless his name. (R) Announce his salvation, day after day. ³ Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) ¹⁰ Say among the nations: the Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R) 

Gospel | John 15:9-11

At the heart of Jesus’ final discourse to the disciples is an exhortation to love. Linked to love is keeping the commandments, but love comes first. It precedes everything in the Christian life. Without love, our lives are bereft of God’s goodness. Without love, true joy is impossible. Money, fame, or power may bring us happiness, but ultimately they are worthless without the love that comes from God. 

Gospel Acclamation

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. 

⁹ Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” 

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 KINGS 16 - 18 today.

I feel so musical these days. From Joan Osborne’s “One of Us” yesterday, we move back farther to 1990 with Extreme’s “More than Words.” It opens with “Saying ‘I love you’ is not the words I want to hear from you. [. . .] What would you do if my heart was torn in two? More than words to show you feel that your love for me is real, what would you say if I took those words away? Then you couldn’t make things new just by saying ‘I love you . . .’” 

Here we are reminded of the amazing power of God’s words that created everything in the beginning. How amazing that God shared the power of His words—the power to communicate—only with us. And when His Word became flesh in Jesus Christ, He told us in simple words the great power we share with Him in love: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:9-11). 

How sad that we often take this for granted as we desecrate our very words of their sanctity and true meaning, like when persons are reduced to stages of life, like embryo and fetus to allow abortions which others also claim as a right and a choice. How sad that we say something without really meaning it, multiplying our words so others would believe and trust us, like in most advertisements, movies, and social media. 

Jesus invites us today to regain the sanctity of words, of palabra de honor, that has long been gone in a world of lies and deceptions. See how, “after much debates” in the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:7), Saint Peter was guided by the Holy Spirit in resolving their issue of not subjecting the pagan converts to Jewish laws and customs, which paved the way for the spread of Christianity. Fr. Nick F. Lalog 

Reflection Question:

When did you last pray with God’s words found in the Bible? 

Lord Jesus Christ, help us rediscover You and Your life-giving words in the Bible so that we may express—with more than words—our great love for You through our loving service to one another. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________