Yes or NO

 

 Mt 5:33-37

Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Note: This  slice comes after a week of pilgrimage in Rome and Assisi when no new slices were offered, but readers continued by the droves to read whatever they found.  Amazing.  But more amazing was the experience of "pilgrimage", of God's mercy and love demonstrated through the meticulous and selfless care of a dear friend and a group of pilgrims heretofore unknown and yet as warm, loving and caring as lifelong friends.  I had one request: to be healed through the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, whose in-corrupt body I saw, shed tears and prayed before, but yet did not receive the physical healing I sought. More stepping back and accepting God's will and the graces he sends to bear with my infirmities..The love I experienced far outweighed the joy of a cure, and I am able to carry on better having experienced so much love, and to boot, a safe trip,  especially the last half of which by myself...yet not by myself...but with an army of angels leading and guiding me right to my front door!

 When we say YES to the Lord, his powerful response wipes away ALL THE NEGATIVES and we find that he gives the strength for every step of the way...I learned this on my walk from Assisi to Rome in 1976 and experienced it again in 2024!  There is no limit to God's love and care for us.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, how can I keep from singing when you overshadow me with your loving care, day after day, year after year! men!