actions speak louder than words
"This son said in reply, 'No, I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went." —Matthew 21:30
Jesus is the Son of God. He always did what His Father requested. "Jesus Christ...was not alternately 'yes' and 'no'; He was never anything but 'yes' " (2 Cor 1:19). Mary was a daughter of God who said 'Yes' to God, and then lived out her 'Yes' every day of her life. St. Joseph said 'Yes' to God by agreeing to receive Mary as His wife and raise Jesus as his Foster-Son. St. Paul mirrored the son in Jesus' parable who began by saying an emphatic 'No' to the Father, yet wound up living a life of discipleship and evangelization that was a resounding 'Yes' (see Acts 9:1-22).
Jesus' Gospel parable makes it clear that what pleases God is our obedient actions. Our words please Him only when they are backed up by our obedience. Otherwise, our empty 'Yes' is mere lip-service to Him (Mk 7:6).
Your 'Yes' to the Lord must be said every day. Otherwise, it will eventually become a 'No' by your actions. Say 'Yes' to God. Then live your 'Yes' each day by your life of obedient faith. Let your 'Yes' really mean 'Yes' (Jas 5:12; Mt 5:37).
Prayer: Father, I know that I'll only enter Your kingdom if I do Your will. Give me a heart eager to obey You and always seeking to please You. Give me "obedient faith" (Rm 1:5).
Promise: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves." —Ps 34:19
Praise: Anna made a promise to pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day in Advent in order to prepare for Christmas.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015
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