As humans with free will we are given the ability and the opportunity to make choices that affect every part of our lives. The readings today recount two times when people were offered a choice. Joshua instructs the Israelites in the law handed down through Moses and then asks the people to choose whether they will serve the Lord God or pagan gods.
Recalling God’s faithfulness to them and to their ancestors, the people declare, “We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.” May we, too, be mindful of God’s gifts to us and renew our commitment to serve Him with grateful hearts. When we commit to serve the Lord, we must be willing to become a partner in the work of the Lord. A partner is a person who invests time, talent and treasure. If we say we serve God, we must actually do something!
Christian stewards eagerly decide to serve the Lord, not the destructive “gods” of society materialism, relativism, individualism, and consumerism.
The second time the people were offered a choice appears in today’s Gospel. We hear that a number of Jesus’ followers left him because his message was too difficult for them. When the people say they do not believe Jesus’ Words and walk away, in essence, they did not believe in him. He then asked the Twelve Apostles if they wished to leave as well. Peter responds by making a profound profession of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Twelve made a choice and stood by their choice, remaining loyal to their commitment to Jesus. A good question for our reflection might be this: Are we satisfied with the stewardship we exercise over our baptismal commitment to Jesus? Are we just “along for the ride?” Are we keeping Christ in front of us as we make decisions about our daily activities, our relationships, our parish, issues in the workplace, issues such as peace and justice? What is the quality of our stewardship?
“If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Recalling God’s faithfulness to them and to their ancestors, the people declare, “We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.” May we, too, be mindful of God’s gifts to us and renew our commitment to serve Him with grateful hearts. When we commit to serve the Lord, we must be willing to become a partner in the work of the Lord. A partner is a person who invests time, talent and treasure. If we say we serve God, we must actually do something!
Christian stewards eagerly decide to serve the Lord, not the destructive “gods” of society materialism, relativism, individualism, and consumerism.
The second time the people were offered a choice appears in today’s Gospel. We hear that a number of Jesus’ followers left him because his message was too difficult for them. When the people say they do not believe Jesus’ Words and walk away, in essence, they did not believe in him. He then asked the Twelve Apostles if they wished to leave as well. Peter responds by making a profound profession of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Twelve made a choice and stood by their choice, remaining loyal to their commitment to Jesus. A good question for our reflection might be this: Are we satisfied with the stewardship we exercise over our baptismal commitment to Jesus? Are we just “along for the ride?” Are we keeping Christ in front of us as we make decisions about our daily activities, our relationships, our parish, issues in the workplace, issues such as peace and justice? What is the quality of our stewardship?
“If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
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