By Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe (Josh.24:1-2,15-18, Ps.33:2-3,16-23, Eph.5:21-32 & Jn.6:60-69)
Dear Friends in Christ,
We often face difficult options from which we must make a choice. The options are often exclusive, meaning choosing one completely excludes the other. It could be choosing whom to marry among your many good and willing friends, or choosing to lose your good friends whose lifestyles and choices oppose yours. It could also be that of choosing to maintain your principles and lose huge but illegal profits. One thing is certain: the choices we make in life shape our future. Besides, every choice is a result of a mindset formed from previous experiences.
The importance of making the right choices based on fundamental and enduring considerations rather than on passing and shortsighted interests is stressed in today’s readings. Like the audience in the readings, the challenge to declare our stand with God is a daily experience in our effort to live our Christian calling in the present secular society. It is interesting to see how the people of old and the disciples of Jesus handled this choice-related issue and what implications that followed.
The first reading presents Joshua summoning all the tribes of Israel to renew their allegiance to the Lord. As the days of Joshua drew to a close, he devoted his last days to reminding the Israelites of what the Lord did for them. It is time to decide on whether they want to remain faithful to God who has been on their side or turn to the gods of the neighboring nations. Therefore, Joshua convoked the entire assembly at Shechem and categorically put it before them to henceforth choose whom to serve. Whether to serve the Lord -Yahweh or to serve the foreign gods of the Amorites. As for Joshua he has chosen that he and his household will serve only the living, God. Joshua reminded them of all that the Lord had done for them right before their very eyes. He led them out of Egypt, having worked many wonders against Pharaoh, and even drowned his chariots in the sea as he tried to stop their escape. God led them through the desert, fed them with Manna, fought their battles, and drove their enemies away from them. These experiences were sufficient to convince them to remain steadfast to the Lord their God. Yet they kept alternating from belief and unbelief.
A similar situation trails the multiplication of five loaves of bread and two fishes with which Jesus fed five thousand people. That action prompted them to seek to crown Jesus their king and have him give them bread always. But the moment Jesus began teaching them about the bread of life which is his true body, their mood changed and they left him in anger. Jesus turned to the twelve and asked if they too wanted to leave. Rather than leave, they affirmed their faith in Him. Jesus’ reaction to those walking away in anger, leaves no middle ground for his hearers. It was a simple declaration that we can only follow Jesus on his terms and not on our terms.
Experience can be of great help when faced with difficult choices. It was the experience of God’s faithfulness that Joshua recounted that helped the Israelites to choose to serve Him in place of the other gods. Likewise, the twelve disciples of Jesus relied on the messages of eternal life that Jesus had given them to choose to remain with Him. The teaching was challenging and those who felt it was intolerable left Jesus. Peter’s expression shows clearly that their decision to remain with Jesus was not based on their understanding of the teaching, but on faith in Jesus himself. He said, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the message of eternal life, and we believe, we know You are the Holy One of God.’
The ability to choose is at the center of human freedom. It is the crucial trait on which all responsibilities and rewards are based. The underlying reasons for our choices are important. People have made important choices based on temporary interests. And the consequences are often unfortunate. Some have chosen their friends based on selfish interests, and when things got tough they were left alone. Others have betrayed trust because of what they would gain. It is important to think deeply before making essential choices. As far as God is concerned, He does not force us to follow Him. God respects whatever choices we make, but we have to live with the implications of such choices.
As Christians, we all profess to love God solely and to follow him sincerely. However, many a time when faith-challenging situations confront us, we see ourselves fluctuating and oscillating back and forth. We find it very difficult to remain on the side that gives credence to our faith and love of God. In such situations, we are faced with some faith decision-making: How best would I handle this issue, this way or the other way? Do I go the extra mile to make for peace or do I allow each person to go his own way to the detriment of all? Should I take my revenge this time or should I forgive and let go? Do I involve myself in these dubious business deals or do I leave it for God’s sake? All these faith-challenging situations always confront us with discernment and decision-making. Like the people of old, Joshua and Jesus are challenging all of us today, that in all situations, we have to be more thoughtful and resolute in choosing whom to follow and serve with sincerity of purpose. A very important question we should rather ask ourselves is ‘Who do we serve when no one but God sees us, and how ready are we to speak of our faith among our unbelieving friends?’ These are the things that define the extent of our choice for Jesus.
It is said that true friends are known in times of adversity. Similarly, true believers shine out in moments of trial and persecution. It is in this context that we can understand the extent of the demand of choosing Jesus when every other person is going away; to remain faithful when others are doing whatever they want. Moments of trials are moments of merit. They are moments to stick to our fundamental choices to follow Jesus, irrespective of how difficult his teaching might appear. They are moments to stand up and be counted among His true and faithful disciples. Deserting Jesus is never a good option for a Christian because only God is enduring. Every other thing is only temporal, fading away in a short space of time.
May His grace guide and strengthen us, especially when his teaching seems difficult to put into practice. Amen.