Yes, No, Maybe
10th Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday (II)
2008-06-14
Matthew 5:33-37“Yes…No…Maybe”
It was actually quite a long while ago – but it seems like only yesterday – that a freckle-faced girl in my 4th grade Social Studies class passed me a note. It asked simply, “Do you like me?” It had a choice of 3 boxes that I could check: yes, no, maybe.
I’m sure you’re dying to know what my answer was…but, I have to admit, I don’t remember.
What I do remember, though, is that initial, paralyzing fear of commitment I felt when I first received the note – when I thought I was going to have to give this girl an honest answer. But, I also remember that feeling of relief that quickly came over me when I realized she had given me an easy out – the “maybe” box.
No promises. No commitment. No honesty required.
So, too, it is in the world today. In fact, this really is a world filled with “maybe’s”…
Moral relativism.
The uncertainty of sin.
Sexual ambiguity.
The lack of commitment in marriage.
When faced with the tough questions, we tend to avoid the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, and, all to often, we check the ‘maybe’ box. But, that’s not what today’s gospel is telling us.
Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and you’re ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ He doesn’t offer us a ‘maybe.’ We are called to be committed.
Yes, or No?
Committed to good character.
Yes, or No?
Committed to the truth.
Yes, or No?
Committed to a life of holiness.
Yes, or No?
We are called to be men and women of our word. But, to do this, first we must be men and women of the Word – Jesus – Who “took flesh and dwelt among us,” and, Who founded His church on the rock of St. Peter.
And this church – the Roman Catholic Church, the Bride of Christ – is calling us still to this very day.
We are called to love her.
We are called to support her.
We are called to defend her – defend her mission of salvation and defend her teachings and doctrines.
And when it comes to Holy Mother Church, there are more ‘yes’s’ and ‘no’s’, and fewer ‘maybe’s than the world would have us think.
Yes…Sacramental marriage is permanent and indissoluble…
No…homosexual activity is not an acceptable, alternative lifestyle…
Yes… Jesus is truly present – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – in the Eucharist…
No…the Church cannot ordain women…
Yes…Contraception is a sin…
No…euthanasia is not an exercise in human compassion.
Yes…Jesus – through His Church – continues to speak the straightforward, concrete Truth to a world who wants an easy out…a simple “maybe” when it comes to the tough questions.
“Yes…No…Maybe.” Which box will you check?