By John Desing csc –
Readings: Jos 24:14-19; Mt 19:13-15
Today’s readings present to us vivid examples of ‘freedom to choose’ and how we exercise that freedom in our lives. None of us deliberately chooses to do wrong. We always choose to be
good but often we fail to do it.
As prophet Joshua would say, “You are not able to serve the Lord for he is a Holy God.” To serve God who is holy requires a change of heart which is painful for all of us. We need to pay the prize of the choice that we make in trying to be good children of God. Joshua sets a wonderful example before us of being a single-minded in his commitment to the Lord. He said, ‘As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.’
Thus, in choosing to serve and witness the Lord, we make use of that freedom to become beloved children of God. In the gospel, we find Jesus as a leader who chooses to be kind and tender-hearted to the least and small children.
Children are innocent and pure, and at the same time, are vulnerable because they completely depend on someone else (parents) for everything. Today, Jesus reminds us that we need to have the attitude of children who are pure in their mind and hearts; and to always trust in God’s providence. Our wealth, possession, and technology sometimes make us think that we do not need God.
Yet, the pandemic situation has taught us that we are all vulnerable, no matter how rich or poor we are. We need to be humble before God and our fellow human beings, for we need
God’s grace at every moment of our lives.