August 19, 2023, Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time-A
Joshua 24:14-29
Psalm 16
Matthew 19:13-15
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Lord, I love these words of Joshua. They are an inspiration today, so many centuries after they were spoken. The people were entering a land and mixing in with people who worshiped many idols and false gods. They were tempted to accept the surrounding pagan culture. Joshua warned them against forgetting all God had done for them and assimilating into a foreign worship of alien gods. Lord, you presented to the Israelites a clear, black and white choice: believe in, worship, obey and love the God of the universe with all our hearts, minds, strength and spirits. Or we can accept the false gods of pleasure, money, power, prestige, acceptance, and going along with the standards of the world. I can worship my iPhone, cable TV, car and stocks and bonds. Or I can serve the Lord who created me, has taught me, has inspired me, guided me and protected me for all these years. I can accept suffering as a participation in your passion and death. I can live as if it’s all about me or I can live like I’ve been saved. That’s the choice. Amen.