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,
The readings of today, especially the first reading and the Gospel, concentrate on the importance of making the right choices based on fundamental and enduring considerations rather than on passing and shortsighted interests. The challenge to declare our stand in relation to God in Christ Jesus 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 handled this choice-related issue and what implications that followed.
In the first reading, we see Joshua summoning all the tribes of Israel to renew their allegiance to the Lord. This invitation is significant given all that the Lord has 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.
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.
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 in his own terms and not in our own terms.
When faced with difficult choices, experience can be of great help; the Israelites had to remember what the Lord did for them, this helped them to choose to serve Him in place of the other gods. The twelve disciples of Jesus relied on the messages of Eternal life which Jesus had given them, this made them choose to remain with Him despite the challenging teaching. Peter’s expression showed this clear, ‘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.’ So, it was not because they understood the teaching either, it was because they knew and believed that He is the Holy One of God.
At the center of human freedom is the question of choice. The ability to choose separates humans from other animals. But it is at the same time, the crucial trait on which all responsibilities and rewards are based. And God does not force us to follow him. John 3:16 has it that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The choice to believe or not to believe in Jesus is the principle on which salvation is based. And that choice is exclusive, just in the same way the choice required in both readings of today are exclusive.
The implication of a choice being exclusive is that we cannot choose two alternatives at the same time. When we choose to go right, we are foregoing everything that is on the left. If the people choose to follow the Lord, they have to abandon all worship of foreign gods, enjoy the blessings and protection of God. But if they decide otherwise, they will have to deal with the consequences. Remember that when the Israelites rebelled against God in the desert, the result of that rebellion was that not one of them will ever see the land that God promised on oath to their ancestors (cf. Numbers 4: 1-23). Those who decided to leave Jesus because they found his teaching too difficult to accept ceased to be counted among his disciples.
As Christians, we all profess to love God solely and to follow him sincerely. However, many times 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 makings: 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 to choose 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 in the midst of our unbelieving friends?’ These are the things that actually 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 temporary, 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.