Dear Family of God,

What is the best choice in life that we can make in a world full of choices?

As our first reading this weekend is reminding us: “Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” Yes, God wants us all to be saved, but God does not force anybody into heaven.

He respects our free will. “If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you.”

Jesus came to teach us to make right choices in life and be one with Him. In Our Gospel, He teaches us how to truly live in the will of God in order to live eternally in/with Him. By fulfilling the law, Jesus takes it beyond a literal interpretation and restores it to its original sense, bringing it to perfection.

The Pharisees and Scribes approached the Law in a too impersonal and legalistic way. The law was not interiorized in their heart. Jesus invites us to go beyond this. In a series of “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you…” Jesus makes the demand of the law more penetrating by prohibiting not only killing but anger, not only adultery but lust, etc. He even forbids what the law seems to allow at that time—divorce and oaths. Jesus is inviting us to obey God’s law from our heart. He wants us all to be holy. I personally desire that each one of you become a saint. This is my primary job as your Pastor to help each one of you to become a saint. A saint does the will of God above our own will. Shall we help God do this in our lives?

May Our Lady of Joy, St. Joseph and all the saints help us all to become saints.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.

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