Let Your Yes Mean YES and Your No Mean NO | #1612

Ordinary Time, 6th Sunday (A) Campus ministry is thriving at UW-Oshkosh thanks to your donations to the Bishop's Appeal and the Raising Vocations collection. Missionaries are reaching college students with the love of Jesus, and those students are themselves becoming missionaries on college campuses around the U.S.. You might have heard this sermon: "You're not holy enough; try harder!" That's not really the Gospel message. Our intellect was designed to know the truth and our will was designed to choose that which is good. Sin darkens our intellect and weakens our will. It's easy to believe lies, and even when we know the truth, we don't always do it. Whenever we make good choices, we become more free. Whenever we make evil choices, we become less free. We are working with darkened intellects, weakened will, and we are being harassed by an evil genius bent on destroying us. Fortunately, God gives us the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills. The Gospel is not saying, "Try harder." Rather, Jesus is pointing out to us that it's not enough for us to follow the rules. Our hearts must also be transformed. Let us say YES to the Holy Spirit and his truth and goodness. Let us say NO to even the little lies and all the small ways we don't fully love. (15 Feb 2026) Going Deeper: "Holy Spirit, where is it that you want to bring me into more freedom and truth and goodness this Lenten season?" Listen to Msgr. Shea's keynote at Seek 2024, "Why Are We So Depressed?" AdobeStock_254749271 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your enemies. | Find me on Facebook | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.