THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Luke 9:22-25
“Choose
life, then, that you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy 15:19)
Dear Brothers and
sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings of the day speak about the choices we
make in our lives. We
make choices in our daily activities. We make a lot of choices right from
waking up to sleeping and during the day various choices for various needs
(food, clothing and relations). The choices that we make determine the results,
the quality be it in our personal life,
relationships, our work and also
how we view the world around us and how
we participate in it.
Sometimes we make good choices, other times not; sometimes
we are sure of it and other times we are not. Nevertheless the past choices
have influenced us to shape our life and life around us however it is now. We are aware that we make choices
for various reasons, like to be accepted, to be liked, to be identified, for
success, security, power and protection and many other personal reasons.
Sometimes those choices are realised but oftentimes not.
In the first reading Moses sets before the people of Israel
two alternatives and appeals them to choose wisely.
1. Obedience, which leads to life and
prosperity.
2. Disobedience, which leads to
adversity and death.
He commands to choose life, not a mere advice or
suggestion. This is the setting for
pro-life choose life, so that you and your descendant will live.
Verse
16 and 20 beautifully depicts what it meant by choosing life: it involves
1.
love of God
2.
Hearing and walking in
his Ways
3. Clinging to him and keeping his commandments
1.
Choosing life means
loving God, this love is not temporary or momentary but as the scripture puts
it “You shall love The Living God, your God, with all your heart, and with all
your self, and with all your might.” Love involves the whole person not just as
an emotional experience. So also choosing life involves more, its holistic
commitment preserves the sanctity of life.
2.
Choosing life means
listening and walking in the ways of God. it’s an active listening and walking
in the light of His law. As we go through chapter 5 the book of Deuteronomy we
find from ver 1 onwards the ways of the Lord - The Ten commandments. And jesus
said I am the way in John 14:6
3. Choosing
life means clinging to and keeping the Commandments of the Lord. these were not
meant to burdensome but encourage a life of steadfast Love and faithfulness
towards God, oneself and others
But if the people choose to turn away, drawn away towards other gods, other love interests, other voices and other commandments of worldly pleasures, they will surely perish and ruin the land, will not reach the promised land and will suffer the curse and death.
Unfortunately, in many christian countries, many who have left faith and who have abandoned faith are now turning towards choosing death. There are rallies for abortion, rallies for ruining children's life (the next generation) in the name of freedom and Gender.
Jesus in the Gospel too addresses his disciples and his followers to choose his ways which lead to life and salvation. He does not wish us to be lost and forfeit oneself.
Therefore the reading gives us today an ultimate
reason. What matters is the choice between life and death which is both
the ultimate choice and ultimate criteria for other choices. So everything that
we choose should resemble life, should sustain and nurture life for oneself and
others. If the choice is in contrast to that it would result in destroying and
denying life oneself and others. Hence it is an invitation for all of us to
make wise choices because it will be granted for sure, the book of sirach
affirms it in 15: 17 “whichever you choose will be given” . let us choose
life for us and for the next generation.
Choose LIFE over DEATH
FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD
