“Decide for ourselves what is right.” These words stand out in today‘s gospel. As we journey through life, we are faced with countless choices and decisions. The experts say that we make up to 200 decisions daily. Beginning with the smallest daily choices and moving to the life-altering decisions. Beginning from how long the morning sport will last, the dress we wear, the food we eat, the car we drive, and our attitude towards co-workers at work etc. All these contribute in shaping our personality and our world. But what is it that should guide our choices? What is the compass by which we should navigate the sea of options?
Motivated by Love
Love is the profound force that should inspire and motivate our decisions. Love for one another, love for ourselves, and above all, love for God. When we decide in love, we are aligning ourselves with the divine purpose of our existence. We are, in essence, reflecting the love of God, because to decide in love is to decide to love. This is why the Beatles sang: “All you need is love.“
Awareness of the Sign of the Time
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to discern the signs of the times, to understand the world we live in, in order to make choices that are right and just. The signs of the time at the time of Jesus was the recognition that the people live in a messianic age. This awareness is supposed to motivate them to accept Jesus as the messiah, as well as guide their life choices. Thus, choices, motivated by love together with the consciousness of the signs of the time, are powerful instruments of change, because they remain ever relevant and more effective. When we decide out of love, and out the awareness of our time, we become agents of hope, peace, and transformation. Our decisions can inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of love and goodness in the world we live in.
Help for Challenging Decisions
It is important to acknowledge that decision-making can be challenging. Life often presents us with difficult choices, ones that test our faith and our commitment to love. In those moments, we can find strength and wisdom through life experiences, through prayer, seeking guidance from the One who is the source of all love, as evident in the scriptures.
Pray for the Synod of Bishop
Let us pray for the Church during this time the Synod of Bishops is meeting in Rome. At this meeting, the idea of decision making and decision taking, becomes significant. The idea of a synodal church has increased the involvement of the laity and clergy in the decision making process of the church. The basis for this involvement is baptism and confirmation, through which all are imbued with the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for them that they may decide for all and that their decision may be right in the sight of God and man as well as motivated by love. With love as their guide, may they take decisions that can transform and improve the works of evangelisation.
Also, may our own little daily decisions be motivated by love and may they contribute to the creation of a more loving, compassionate, and just world.
