Choices and Options!!!

I remember from my seminary days one of the priests in his homily said, "We all have choices and options." That is true, we have choices and options and our free will helps us with those, as well as, the knowledge to choose between good and evil. Hopefully goodness is the choice and option that we always take. The readings to begin these days after Ash Wednesday show us the choice and option. Our first reading is, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, while the gospel is, Luke 9:22-25. As our commentator writes, "Through Moses, God offers Israel a choice. They can choose life by loving Him and walking in his ways, or they can turn away from him, in which case they will certainly perish. In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to take up our cross each day and follow him. Whoever gives his life for the sake of Christ will save it" (Commentary and General Intercessions, 94). I believe the focus paragraph on that same page tells us what we need to do. "As we observe Lent, let us reflect on the choice set before us: to walk in the Lord's way, which brings life; or to live in sin, which brings death. Let us choose to spend these days of Lent wisely, to renew our love of God and turn more completely to him." Let us make our choice, our option for God, because it brings us new life. Have a blessed day!!!