February 23, 2023, Thursday after Ash Wednesday ST. POLYCARP, BISHOP MARTYR

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 1

Luke 9:22-25

…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  Choose life… Deuteronomy 30:19

Lord, Moses places a clear choice before the people who are about to enter the Promised Land. On the one hand they could choose to love you, listen to your voice, and hold fast to your commandments. Or they could look to false gods, do their own thing, and forget how they had been delivered from slavery in Egypt. What does faithfulness to you look like? It looks like being grateful, humble, and obedient. It looks like following your will for me and my family. It looks like realizing that you know what is best for me at all times. It looks like accepting trials and suffering in our walk with you. You will never lead us to darkness but always to light. All this is beyond me most of the time. Lord, that’s why I depend on your grace for strength, your word for guidance and your sacraments to bring me home. Obedience to you will not promise that I’ll win the lotto. No, the reward for choosing the life you offer is much better. St. Polycarp, pray for me.  Amen.