Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever done something you didn’t want to do—but did it anyway—because you loved someone?
That’s what St. Paul is talking about today. “The love of Christ impels us.” Not guilt. Not pressure. Not appearances. Love. Real love moves us to act, to speak, to live differently. And not just our love for Christ—but His love for us. Once we know we’ve been loved like that—completely, undeservedly—we can’t stay the same.
That’s why Paul says we no longer live for ourselves. We’ve been made new. And with that newness comes a mission: to be ambassadors for Christ. Not just to believe in Him, but to represent Him. To speak and live with integrity.
Which brings us to Jesus’ words in the Gospel: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’” In a world full of half-truths, spin, and empty promises, Jesus calls us to be different. To be people whose words are trustworthy, whose actions match our faith.
Why? Because when people see that we mean what we say—especially when it’s hard—they begin to see Christ in us. That’s what it means to be His ambassador.
So today, let the love of Christ impel you. To be honest in speech. To be generous in action. To forgive when it costs. To love even when it’s inconvenient. We are not our own anymore. We belong to the One who died and rose for us.
And because of Him, we can say Yes—and mean it.
Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections