MAKING THE CHOICE

The first reading at mass today, August 16, is from a very important chapter in the Bible,

Joshua 24. Known as the chapter of the “covenant renewal,” it tells of how the Israelites, having conquered most of the tribes in the promised land under the leadership of Joshua, are now challenged by him to renew their covenant with the God who brought their forefathers through the Red Sea, and who has brought them across the Jordan River into the Land of Milk and Honey. The passage used at mass (Joshua 24:14-29) is worth reading in its entirety.  

While I suppose that the idea of "covenant renewal" may provide a good meditation for you and me, there is one verse that really challenged me: “Put away the foreign gods that are among you.” 

The Israelites, like the pagan tribes around them, have been serving a variety of gods. Some of the gods are from back in the days of captivity in Egypt, while others have been picked up along the way.

Joshua now challenges the Israelites to “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel” (v.23).

This verse has proven to be a good challenge for me. When God’s Help is not enough, what are the other helps that I turn to? The substitutes for God are too many to count, but some of the most common are possessions, controlling others, physical, pleasures, and distractions.

Joshua is challenging me today to stop turning to those false gods and to leave myself completely in the hands of the Lord.

This challenge has been coming up repeatedly in my life over the past couple of months. I

have to learn how to leave myself completely vulnerable to the father, Exactly as Jesus did.

As he hung on the cross, I receive your said “father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.“

Am I ready to repeat those words in my own life or do I still hang on to some of those old gods that offer a sense of security?

Let’s pray for one another that we can accept Joshua’s challenge today to put away both foreign gods and turn to the Lord, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.