Joshua 24:1-2.15-18
Psalm 33:2-3.16-23
Ephesians 5:21-32
John 6:60-69
A TIME TO DECIDE
Faith is a personal adherence to God. It is not by force. To believe in God is therefore a free and conscious act, knowing it leads to freedom and salvation. In fact, how we live our life depends on our choice to believe or not to believe.
In effect, the first reading narrates the unanimous decision of the people of Israel, gathered by Joshua at Shechem, to serve God and remain faithful to him. This was a significant stage in their history. It was a form of a profession of faith, followed by the renewal of the Covenant when the Israelites reached the Promised Land (Jos. 24:1-2.15-18).
The gospel also presents a decisive stage of Jesus’ public ministry. At the end of his discourse on the Bread of Life, it was time to make a decision: to believe in him or not to believe. Many of his disciples decided to stop following him, because his words were difficult and unacceptable. Jesus did not try to convince them or water down his language, but he asked the Twelve: "And you, do you also want to go away?" Simon Peter replied: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe, and we know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6: 60-69).
Sometimes, we need to make such act of faith, to decide to hold unto Jesus no matter what. When the enthusiasm of our commitment begins to wane, when doubts begin to set in and tiredness weighs us down, when strong winds begin to blow and the world rages around us, when nothing seem clear and despair begins to set in, we need the courage to say: “Lord, to whom shall we go?” No need to quit or to give up: we need to hold unto Jesus, to stand by him. His words are spirit and life.
However, we must also know that deciding to stay with Christ is to allow him to give a new orientation and meaning to our life. It is to choose the way of trust, selfless love and sacrifice. We no longer live to dominate others but to love them, serve them, and respect them, especially within the family. In doing so, our families and homes will become a source of healing, fulfilment and sanctification (Eph. 5:21-32). May the Lord bless and keep all of us. Amen.
👌 thank you Fr. I have decided to follow Jesus_ No turning back
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ReplyDeleteThanks to you all. May God bless you and keep you under his protection
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