As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord

Dear Parish Family,

As I meditated over our readings this Sunday I noticed a common theme throughout. We are given the opportunity to make a choice. In the first reading Joshua asks the tribes of Israel, whom they will serve. The choice was before the people to serve the gods of their fathers or would they serve the Lord who had taken them out of slavery in Egypt, protected on the journey and blessed them in a new land. The Israelites recognized all that God had done for them, a covenant of love. They saw the miracles with their own eyes! They chose to follow Our Lord, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

In the second reading St. Paul reminds us of the relationship of a husband and wife. To be subordinate, love and serve one another. Just like Christ loves the church. We are reminded of the choice a man and woman make to leave their parents to begin a new family, become one with their spouse. once again a covenant of love. Those of us that are married are well aware that marriage requires love, submission/compromise. The choices made for our family are always with the desire of the greater good for all its members. Christ himself is the perfect example of this love for his church. 

​Lastly in the Gospel, Jesus reveals he is food for our souls. His words are spirit and life. Many of his followers can not understand or accept the concept that we are to eat his flesh. This is too much for many, and they chose to abandon him. Peter on the other hand has an epiphany, He recognizes Jesus as God. “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” 

Throughout our readings we are reminded that we have the free will to make a choice. God’s love and blessing on his people is given freely. We are then given the choice to follow him and choose salvation or to walk away. This reminds me of something of a wise mother of a priest (Fr. Tony Ricard) often said to her own children, before they left the house. “Remember who you are and whose you are.” As we go out into the world, do people know we are Christian and we belong to God? “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

Siempre adelante,
​Tere Delgado
​Faith Formation Minister