Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18 / Ephesians 5:21-32 / John 6:60-69
We may remember what are the 5 Cs in life. It is a phrase used to refer to the quest for affluence or wealth.
Just in case we can’t quite remember what those 5 Cs stand for they are, Cash, Car, Credit Card, Condominium and Country club membership.
That phrase has been around for quite a while, and though things may have changed a bit, the 5 Cs are still relevant.
They reflect the human desire for comfort and security, and in fact the 5 Cs can be summed up into the first C, and that is Cash.
With cash, or money, we can be quite comfortable, and the more we have of it, the more luxuries we will be able to get with it.
But, how much cash do we really need to have? When is it enough? When will we ever be contented with what we have?
These are questions that we'd rather not think about, because when it comes to cash, then the more, the better.
Or is that really it? Money, as we know, can’t buy true love or happiness. Money can't buy peace. Money can't buy life.
When we understand this truth, then it leads us to realize the power we have within us.
And that power is the power of choice. It is the power to choose, to be who we want to be and what we want to be.
The power of choice will also determine our destiny in life here and also the hereafter.
In the 1st reading, Joshua gathered all the people of Israel together, and he presented them with a choice.
He said to them, “If you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve.”
And then he made known his choice: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Well, the people said that they will serve the Lord too. But we know from the Bible, that time and again, the people chose otherwise and were unfaithful to the Lord and even worshipped idols.
And they suffered the consequences of their choice. They were conquered by the enemies and they were oppressed.
But the Lord was faithful in His promises to His Chosen people. Time and again, He delivered them from their enemies, but it was always the people who made the wrong choice.
In the gospel, the people could not accept the doctrine that Jesus was teaching, that He is the Bread of Life.
They called it intolerable language, and after that many of His disciples left him and stopped going with Him.
Jesus then turned to the Twelve and asked, “What about you, do you want to go away too?” In other words, Jesus was asking them to make a choice.
And Jesus is also asking us to make a choice about what He is teaching us. And it is not just about the teaching that He is the Bread of Life that He is asking us to accept and believe.
There are also other challenging and difficult teachings that He is asking us to follow.
Like for e.g., “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you” (Mat 5:43-44).
Or how about this : Do not resist an evildoer; if he strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him as well (Mat 5:39)
Or, if you do not take up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:27).
In fact, every page of the gospels is filled with some kind of hard teachings from Jesus.
But all those teachings are about life and love. To choose to follow them will grant us peace and joy.
Let us know that we have to make a choice and let it be Christ-centred choice. In comfort or in chaos, let us choose Christ and receive blessings that are beyond the 5 Cs.