Saying Yes to Life and to God

Listening to the Spirit

Merciful God, we pray to you for all the men, women and children who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life.

Though many of their graves bear no name, to you each one is known, loved and cherished.

May we never forget them, but honor their sacrifice with deeds more than words. We entrust to you all those who have made this journey, enduring fear, uncertainty and humiliation, in order to reach a place of safety and hope.

Just as you never abandoned your Son as he was brought to a safe place by Mary and Joseph, so now be close to these, your sons and daughters, through our tenderness and protection.

In caring for them may we seek a world where none are forced to leave their home and where all can live in freedom, dignity and peace.

Merciful God and Father of all, wake us from the slumber of indifference, open our eyes to their suffering, and free us from the insensitivity born of worldly comfort and self-centeredness.

Inspire us, as nations, communities and individuals, to see that those who come to our shores are our brothers and sisters.

May we share with them the blessings we have received from your hand, and recognize that together, as one human family, we are all migrants, journeying in hope to you, our true home, where every tear will be wiped away, where we will be at peace and safe in your embrace.

- by Pope Francis

Listening to the Word

Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

Reflection

These last few weeks, I had the opportunity to hear the confessions of students who were having their retreat. Personally, I would say that encountering these young people in the confessional has been a joyful experience—knowing that through this sacrament, mercy and misery meet and embrace each other. Many times, I have been touched by the lives of the penitents: their struggles, and the joys of keeping their faith alive in the midst of challenges. Some of our young people struggle to find meaning in their lives. Others have even tried to give up due to serious problems in their journey.

To these young people, I always offer this little advice: "We are on the journey of becoming who we are. Be patient with yourself. Don’t get tired of life, because God never gets tired of loving you. God understands what it means to be human with all our struggles, and He is patient with us. When you are down, wake up again. Trust yourself and trust God. Life is beautiful. Please say YES to LIFE."

Life can be difficult, and yet it is a worthwhile journey, especially when we know the reason why we are here. We may journey through life with its ups and downs, and yet it still has meaning because we find joy within it. Work can be so tiring and yet so satisfying at the same time because we do it for the people we love, finding joy in providing food for them. When we are able to say YES to life with all its struggles, we are actually saying YES to God, who asks us to go to his vineyard.

The Gospel tells us that what ultimately counts is not what we say. Our "yes" or our "no" is finally measured by what we do. What matters is the faith that "walks," not empty claims that merely "talk." In another part of the Gospel, Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Mt 7:21).

Saint Francis of Assisi says, "Preach the Gospel always, and use words if necessary." Our good deeds are always stronger than our good words. The second son said "Yes" to the father, but this was just an empty word. This son was like the Pharisees, who praised God with their lips and followed the laws strictly, but forgot to practice forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. They said yes to the precepts but failed to apply them in their lives.

The first son said "no" to the father, but then he regretted it and changed his mind. He went to work in the vineyard. Here, Jesus was directly referring to the tax collectors and prostitutes who were regarded as public sinners and outcasts. Despite their negative reputation, however, they were the ones who proved to be more receptive to God’s invitation. When they encountered Jesus, they experienced conversion.

As we continue following the path of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, who came to us not to be served but to serve, we may constantly listen to his words and live it out through good deeds.

Reflection Questions

In what practical ways can I move beyond simply saying "Yes" to God with my words to actively living out His call to love, mercy, and service in my daily routine?

When faced with struggles, heavy burdens, or moments of regret, how can I allow God's patience and mercy to help me reset, turn around, and say a renewed "YES" to life?