💖 HOMILY - JUNE 14 💖

First Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 

Gospel - Matthew 5:33-37

One of the deepest marks of a true Christian is integrity—the harmony between word and deed, belief and action. Today’s readings call us to live as new creations in Christ, shaped by His reconciling love and guided by the truth that springs from a sincere heart.

St. Paul, in the first reading, speaks passionately: “The love of Christ impels us.” It is not fear or duty, but love that drives a disciple’s life. This love is not passive or sentimental—it is active, life-changing, and deeply rooted in the mystery of the Cross. Because Christ died for all, we are no longer to live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose for us. In Him, we are made new. The past no longer defines us. We are no longer weighed down by old ways of thinking and acting. We are reconciled to God and entrusted with the mission to be instruments of reconciliation for others.

This is a high calling. God makes His appeal through us. In our speech, our actions, and the way we forgive and serve, others should encounter the heart of Christ. As new creations, we no longer measure success by worldly standards but by faithfulness to Christ’s love. Reconciliation, then, is not only a message we preach—it is a life we live.

In the Gospel, Jesus deepens this vision by inviting us to a life of truth. He says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’” In other words, let your words carry the weight of your character. Jesus cautions against swearing oaths to prove our honesty. If we need to take oaths to convince others we are telling the truth, it reveals a deeper issue—a lack of credibility.

Truthfulness is not just about avoiding lies. It is about being trustworthy, transparent, and faithful in all things. In a culture where manipulation, false promises, and hidden motives are widespread, Jesus calls us to simplicity and sincerity. He desires a heart where words flow from truth, not convenience.

This integrity of speech and life is part of our witness as ambassadors of Christ. When our “Yes” is trustworthy, when our lives reflect what we profess, we build a culture of trust. And where there is trust, there is openness to grace.

Let us, then, allow the love of Christ to renew our hearts. Let us embrace our identity as new creations and walk with integrity, reconciling others to God through the witness of our lives. May our words be truthful, our actions loving, and our hearts undivided—so that through us, others may come to know the God who is truth and mercy.