God gives us many gifts, but perhaps the greatest of gifts given to us is free choice. The parable in Matthew’s Gospel about the two brothers is about choice. One chooses to do what is right; the other does not.
We are
not predetermined creatures. Our gift of choice, freedom, is sacred. Yet, using this sacred gift can lead to our making or our undoing. Good choices can lead to life; bad choices can lead to death - the death of our (or other’s) inner being, spirits and, sometimes, even the physical death of another.
When we are in tune with God and God’s grace, we respond
positively. This is reflected in our noblest inspirations and aspirations. We will notice that we are being moulded into the image and likeness of God God. Our choices shape us and make us - in a sense - the people we become.
The biggest challenge we face today is not to be swayed by the choices made by others. We are invited to take responsibility for ourselves
and, listening to the voice within, make choices congruent with the voice of God that we discover in our hearts. Our temptation is to believe that the voices around us, sometimes shouting at us, luring us with glitzy promises, are life-giving. It is the voice of God in us that gives life.
We are invited to ignore the choices made by others and remain confident and content with our own good choices, which always lead
to life and, if in tune with God, a hope-filled future.
Spend time today considering the voice(s) you listen to when making choices. Do the voices around you easily sway you? Can you make choices that are right for you, in sync with God’s voice within you? Do you trust the voice within?
Reflections by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ
