A person's inner being and worth are known only by good deeds, just like a good tree is known by its fruit. The human heart, and words that emerge from the heart, reveal a person's attitude. We are called "disciples" not only to hear the Word of God with enthusiasm, but to genuinely respond to it with actions. It is bending one's life to God's ways, especially in relationships with everyone around us. The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak tree that resists! The stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind! So too, when we pray and are able to put on the mind of Christ, our prayer has already been answered.

Jesus' prayer before His Passion: "Father, not my will, but Yours be done", ... was His acceptance of His Father's Will, and He fulfilled the mission for which He was sent.

The words of the Gospel do not allow us to live in self-satisfaction. They challenge us to repeat the truth of Mary's Fiat ... "Let it be done to me according to Your Word". To listen to God's Word is to let go of self and bow to His embrace; to go that extra mile is to give the other cheek till it hurts!