Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’” Words of wisdom from today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:33-37). Yet, they are also words that at times are hard to live out. I know at times in my life I tried to hedge my bet, not wanting to commit because something better might come along. Not wanting to be honest because it felt like it might hurt someone. Not wanting to be straight forward because I might look bad.
 
Yet to be honest, straight forward, committed is what we are asked to be as people of faith by Jesus today. We are asked to let go of what others, what the world thinks and be faithful to ourselves, to others and to God. It might not be the easiest way, but it is God’s way.
 
Elisha learns this in our first reading today (1 Kings 19: 19-21). He is invited by Elijah to be God’s prophet, but he comes up with all kinds of what seem to be good excuses to wait. All God wants is a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No.’ Elisha finally realizes that he must let go of his excuses and go all in. He realizes that he must trust God. Trust the new life ahead of him.
 
Jesus invites us to trust the new life.  He teaches us to simply be honest, to be women and men of integrity.  In Jesus, we come to know that trusting in God means letting go of the need to prove ourselves, whether by fancy oaths, cunning wordplay, or otherwise.  Instead, we allow God to be our guiding light, always before us. 
 
Have a great Saturday everyone!