the decision
"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse." —Deuteronomy 30:19
This Lent, the Lord says to His people: "I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom" (Dt 30:15). We must choose Life (Jn 14:6) and decide to give our lives to Jesus (Lk 9:24). However, most people don't like to make decisions. We naturally try to avoid making them, but life forces us to decide. We cannot escape making decisions; we can only postpone it.
Therefore, "delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day" (Sir 5:8). "Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress" (Sir 18:21). "Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him. For that will mean life for you" (Dt 30:19-20).
We will eventually make a definite and final decision for or against Jesus. If we postpone deciding for the Lord, we refuse His love and treat Him as if He's not worth an immediate decision of total love. Therefore, choose life; choose Jesus, Who is life. Decide for Jesus now!
Prayer: Father, I decide to accept Jesus, Who saves me from self-destruction and the everlasting loss of my soul (Lk 9:25).
Promise: "Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps." —Lk 9:23
Praise: Mary chose to be single for the sake of the kingdom of God. She has offered hospitality, counsel, and Scripture teaching to many over the years.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997