Saying No
One of the famous Aesop's fables is 'A Father, A Son, and A Donkey.' The moral of the story is the art of saying 'no' to people and their opinions. The father and the son in the story try to please everyone. In the process they are unable to say 'no.'
Oftentimes we fail to say 'no' to people and things.
But at times life demands us to say 'yes.' Only in our assertive yes lies our growth.
In the first reading Prophet Jeremiah points out to the people of Israel how they said 'no' to God.
The Lord says: "Two evils have my people done:
they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
They have dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that hold no water."
The people of Israel have said no to the source of living waters; and they have said yes to the broken cisterns that hold no water.
The source of living waters or the fountain is not visible to the eyes. Therefore it is not attractive. On the other hand, the cisterns are just in front of our eyes, and they are attractive.
The people of Israel abandoned the Lord and embraced other idols. Priests, teachers of the law, shepherds or kings, and prophets all have forgotten the Lord.
Why did they say 'no' to God?
Because they went by convenience, rather than commitment.
Do I say 'no' to God today? If so, to what / whom do I say 'yes'?
In the gospel reading Jesus reveals the purpose of the parables. The parables narrow down the gap between Jesus and the people.
When we say 'no' to God we tend to increase the gap between God and us.
Thanks Fr. Yesu
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