DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20; PSALM 1; LUKE 9:22-25
CHOOSE LIFE
See, “I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” Moses asked the people to make a choice between life and death. If they obey God’s commandments, they will live, but if they don’t, they will certainly be destroyed. Disobedience results in destruction, but obedience leads to salvation.
Let us keep God’s commandments so that we can live both now and forever in the future. Similarly, Psalm 1 speaks of the happiness of those who keep God’s commandments: those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, linger in the way of sinners, or sit in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponder his law day and night. Beloved, keep the Lord’s laws, choose life, and be happy!
Jesus challenges us to deny ourselves in order to follow him in the gospel. In today’s world, where there are so many alluring or attractive options, we must deny ourselves if we want to be happy. Beloved, let us make holiness and eternal life our priorities throughout this Lenten season.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, teach us to make a choice for life and peace. Faced with attractive desires, guide us by the Holy Spirit. Faced with temptations, lead us by your victorious hand. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
