Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Our lives are full of many choices. Almost every minute of each day we decide what to say and do. Today’s readings focus on choices and how these words and deeds can bring us a life that is God-centered. How might we learn to make decisions that lead us to be disciples of Christ?
In today’s first reading, Moses is telling the Israelites that they need to choose between life and death. When the people love God, obey God’s commandments, and walk in God’s ways, then God will bless them and protect them. If they choose other gods, then Moses says that they “will perish” and not be able to remain in the land that had been promised to them from ages past.
Jesus also speaks about choices in today’s gospel reading. He tells his disciples that if they want to follow him, they must pick up and carry their cross daily. Jesus also shares that his followers can only find life when they seek God and God’s ways. Choosing to follow Jesus through loving words and deeds often involves setting aside selfish wants. It is seeking God and His ways and not the ways of the world that lead to the fullness of life in Christ.
Almost every minute of our day, we make choices. I recently attended a talk where the topic of how we make our decisions was discussed. The topic focused on two different ways- reaction and response. When we react to someone, something or an event, we act or speak immediately with little thought or purpose. Sometimes reactions are vital to our survival when they involve life or death decisions, however, most of the interactions of our day do not have this immediacy. A choice that is a response is one where you pause, consider the options, and consider what the loving thing to do is. You then speak or act from this perspective. Responding to others and to various situations involves a concerted effort to slow down in how we act or speak. Our natural inclination is to react and not take into consideration what the ramifications of our words/ actions might be. A response allows God’s grace to be a resource helping us to make a loving decision. Responses might involve not lashing out in anger in a heated argument, not posting something mean spirited on social media or not ignoring a person you encounter who is in need of compassion. Responses often deny our quick desire for power, revenge or pride. These quick fixes are selfish wants that do not bring us life. Choosing to respond instead of react requires patience, practice and prayer. It is through our connection to God that we are given the grace to find ways to choose life-giving words and deeds. The more we slow down, trust in God’s guidance, and allow God to direct our thoughts, words and actions, the more we will become disciples of Christ
Spend some time in prayer asking God to help guide you as you make choices throughout your day. As you interact with other people and circumstances, pause and respond from a place of love and compassion. During this time of Lent, may our lives of prayerful response be a light for the world around us.
—Marylynn Herchline