Final Answer

 

The WORD today reminds me that I should choose God all the time, and until the end.

In the game who wants to be a millionaire, the contestant is given choices. After analyzing the choices and picking an answer, the host will ask if it is the final answer. If the contestant says yes, then thats the only time the choice will be checked if correct. The contestant can change the answer until he says it is final. The same is true with God. 

God looks at our final answer. Our final action and decision will be judged, not the initial one. 

In the first reading, they say the wicked men refer to the sinners and outcasts at that time, while righteous men are the scribes and pharisees. However, God gives opportunities to sinners, to wicked people to change their ways and follow God. Maybe they have not known who God really is. Maybe they're just waiting for someone to guide them to repentance. That is why God is waiting for them to repent and he will save them. However, the righteous already know what to do and how to act. So if they do evil, it is with the knowledge that it is indeed evil, and it shows they are choosing wickedness over good, so they will be punished even if they did good works before. 

We all sin. We all hurt God. And we all have the opportunity to choose God, or choose wickedness. God does not judge us by our sins, but by our heart. Our heart determines our final action, our final answer. The state of our heart will determine if we choose God or wickedness. Then when we make that choice, that's the time we will be judged. 

Choosing God is not a one time decision. It is not a before-you-die decision. We should choose God every day. We should choose goodness in every situation we can. This is how God wants us to live. 

Do I choose God every time, or just when I want to? Am I aware that I can choose God and that I can glorify him in all my actions and decisions, no matter how big or small they may be? 

May we take comfort in the fact that God does not judge us by our initial actions, and make the most of every opportunity to repent and choose God consistently until the end. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for this reminder. Thank you for your patience and love for me. Lord, sorry for my sins. Sorry for hurting you. Sorry for the times I choose wickedness over you. Help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. I want to be with you. Help me see you and choose you in the little decisions in life, so that as I live, I will be consistently showing you what my final answer is. May my actions tell you how much I love and choose you.  Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2017/02/higher-standards.html

February 26, 2021

1st Week of Lent - Friday; St. Porphyry

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FIRST READING

Ezekiel 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? 

And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the LORD more than sentinels wait for the dawn. Let Israel wait for the LORD. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”