Decide and Commit
If you were to name the gods of America today, what or who would you include in the list?
Of course, number 1 is the almighty dollar. What else? The pursuit of beauty and youth? Becoming a celebrity? Ambition? Being a Democrat or a Republican? Sports? Technology? Scientism?
For you personally, who or what are your gods? You might say, “I do not have any gods.”
If you think so, run through the list of things that take up your money, your time, your thoughts, your aspirations, and the things that take hold of your heart from time to time.
Or, consider your favorite habits, favorite escapes, and favorite sins.
Or, run through the list of things you have complained about lately.
In our first reading today, Joshua looked back [as we have done] and reflected. He arrived at the decision: to serve the Lord. He makes that decision clear to all: "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
Similarly, in the Gospel, Peter looks back and reflects upon Jesus’ words and actions. He has decided: The man, Jesus, is the Savior. When Jesus asks: "Do you also want to leave?" Peter answers, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68).
An invitation today is to place yourself in the place of Peter and Joshua. Decide. Who or what will you serve? Will it be: The almighty dollar? Beauty? Your ambition? A party? Sports? A habit? A favorite sin?
Beware, whether we like it or not … we all serve something. If it is not God, then it is some “god.”
The invitation to decide is a call to conversion, committing ourselves, or recommitting ourselves.
Paul extends this call to our human relationships. Husband, love your wife, be committed to her. Wife, respect your husband. Be committed to him.
Dad, Mom: become Joshua. Decide, and commit your household. “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” How about you?