LET YOUR YES BE YES, YOUR NO, NO!

Introduction

Today’s first reading from the Book of Kings gives us a good example of the radical demands made on people God will send for a radical mission. Elisha is up to the call.
Why do people require that at special occasions a statement be backed up by an oath? Is it that they doubt one another’s sincerity and truthfulness, particularly when it matters? And if God invoked in witness of the truth, is it always the truth that is sworn to? In the mind of Jesus, Christians should always be so reliable that there is no need for swearing oaths. We should mean what we say at all occasions.

1 Reading 1 Kings 19:19-21
Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat,
as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen;
he was following the twelfth.
Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.
Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said,
“Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,
and I will follow you.”
Elijah answered, “Go back!
Have I done anything to you?”
Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them;
he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,
and gave it to his people to eat.
Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

Responsorial Psalm 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10
R. (see 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Alleluia Psalm 119:36a, 29b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees;
and favour me with your law.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all;
not by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the Evil One.”

Commentary:
Christ makes everything new. In him, I am made into a new creature. My old ways of being and doing give way to new ways. But this newness can be frightening for me as well as others. It may cost me familiar times, places, and persons. My friends may no longer recognize me and walk with me. My own family members may reject me (Lk 12:49-53). The broad roads that I had walked before are no longer an option, and the narrow path I now tread can make me pretty lonesome. It can be tempting to return to the old and the familiar. Unfortunately, there are some who do return. In such moments of temptation, it will help to keep my gaze fixed on Christ and recognize the fruits of the newness that Christ creates in me. The reconciliation that Christ effects between God, human community, and me is worth many times more than the momentary pleasures of the old ways of living. So, let my “yes” to God be yes, and my “no” to lesser goods be a definitive no.

Blessing
A few days ago Paul told us that Jesus was always “Yes,” yes to the Father’s will, yes and affirming to people, reliable. May we too be trustworthy and reliable, in our faith, our friendship, our given word, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!