Choices that bring life (Twenty-one Sunday in Ordinary Time. Cycle B)

This Sunday, our first reading and gospel have a lot in common. Both are about making a choice between remaining with, and abandoning God. Joshua asked the Israelites to make a choice between serving God and other gods. The Lord asked his disciples: “What about you, do you want to go away too? Using the analogy of marriage, Paul explains and reminds us that just as a man or a woman chooses a wife or a husband due to love, so did Christ choose and took us (his church) to himself: “…He made her the (Church) clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, and with no speck…but holy and faultless…” The choice we make determine whether we will have live or not. When we reject good Christian values we make a bad choice. It is important to note that, choosing God does not mean that we will be become completely trouble free. However, the truth is that choosing to remain with Christ is the best choice to make in life. So today, like Joshua, let us say: “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” Like the Israelites, let us say: “…We have no intention of deserting the God and serving other gods”. As faithful couples remain united to each other, let us remain united with Christ who first chose and took us to himself, and united with Christ in the Catholic Church, even when she has wrinkles, even though inside of  her there are many, tons, of sins and many sinners; although we feel very embarrassed in recent days by the recent scandals. She, the Church, is the Bride of Christ. Like real, sincere and faithful disciples of Jesus, let us say: “Lord who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Today let us joyfully sing this wonderful song: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no going back” • AE