Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 22, 2021
“When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people. ‘If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today who you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’ ...Many of the disciples who were listening said, ‘This is a hard saying, who can accept it?’”
Joshua, the successor of Moses, challenged the people. How often in the scriptures we come to moments of great decision. Mary was asked to be the Mother of God. She said yes. Peter and the apostles were summoned to leave the fishing industry and tax collectors booth. Saints and Martyrs throughout the ages, made their heroic decisions. Missionaries traveled to bring the gospel to others. Now it is my turn.
Surely, as the hymn says, ‘We have decided to follow Jesus.’ But do we only when it is convenient? In moments of stress, or at the time to make a moral decision, what wins, convenience and ease or witness and commitment? Maybe we should begin by realizing that the Christian life is a challenge, supported by God’s gift of grace, allowing us to make a firm decision to improve.
The Christian life is not to be a life of comfort, but it is comforting to know that Jesus Christ supports my decision to follow.