Today’s readings are very clear that a choice has been set before us. The choice, as it was revealed in the first reading, was not merely a suggestion set, but Moses with authority was clear that he “enjoin(ed)” or commanded (Deuteronomy 30:16) a particular way on the people for their prosperity and good life. It took me back to my senior year in high school a few weeks before I was scheduled to go off to college. My mom and I were sitting at our kitchen table having lunch after we began packing up my initial boxes to move into my dorm room. In that conversation, I too was given an admonition that went something like this:
“Your Dad and I have raised you in the way in which you should go. We did not raise you to be a fool. Now that you will be on your own, there will be things that will pull you in ways contrary to how you were raised and can and may lead to your failure or destruction. You were not raised to be a fool, but if you choose to be a fool that will be on you.”
Needless to say, she was correct, and I understood. My whole life with my parents was a great lesson on the path to freedom and avoiding the path toward ruin. Now, it was on me to stay the course. In the times I veered off course and the times I held true to the right path, that lunch conversation with my Mom would play back in my head reinforcing that I would only be the “fool” should I choose it. The choice was mine.
A Fork in The Road
This brings us back to the choices that sit before us and how God has laid it down so many times before us. Think back to Genesis when the Lord instructed Adam in the garden on the way of life and death (Gen. 1:15-17). This choice echoes throughout the generations. Moses lays it out again in today’s first reading; the litany of Psalm 1 is very clear on the choice before us and the fruit of the right path; and finally our Lord and Savior through today’s gospel from Saint Luke not only gives us the instruction on the path, but also informs us that the journey down the right path is not always the easy way because from time-to-time each must take up the cross (Luke 9:23-25). There is no better authority than this and comes to us over and over again through Scripture and the saints:
o Joshua 24:15
o Sirach 15:15-17
o Saint Augustine “The Two Cities”
o Saint John Paul II “The Culture of Life and the Culture of Death”
My brothers and sisters, I invite you this Lent to join me at the fork in the road. Heed the admonition ever before us and make the life choice at the “Cross” road. Many blessings!
Hello. your mother sums up the role and responsibilities of a good parent. To teach our children which way to go, how to make healthy and non-foolish decisions. I love the narrative and plan to share it as I try to teach my grandchildren the scriptures and Godly ways of decision-making. Thanks for sharing.