Gospel
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
We get to choose.
It is not Jesus who will come again and decide our fate. Whether we will have eternal life or eternal death.
He has already chosen life for you and me. He had already said I want that one. They are mine and I love them too much to let them be lost in this world of sin. He came to save us. He came to bring us home like a big brother who will never forget us. Like a mother who still desires to rescue even her grown children. Like the father who sees a son or daughter in trouble even as adults and yearns to save them.
No Jesus does not decide at the end times. He already chose us.
We decide to say yes or no to Jesus Christ
He came and gave us the guide book home. The map to freedom and joy and peace. True joy and peace right now in this earth. He invites us to be part of the kingdom of God right now in whatever job we do, whatever situation we can be found in. He pleads with us to turn from relying on anything but the truth of Jesus Christ and his love.
We are the ones who decide.
I decide to pray as I ought or not.
I decide to go to Mass and accept the offer of union with God.
I decide to once again turn from sin and confess my shortcomings and desire to be with God and his family and community. Or not.
I decide today where I spend eternal life. It’s really that easy. Jesus made it easy. We make it hard by thinking we can have a relationship with God without giving all of our life to him. For while Jesus gave all to us, he also expects us to give back. Our faithfulness. Our open hearts. Our hopes and needs.
Today and everyday we choose life or death. There are no gray areas or choices that don’t matter. They all matter. We matter to God more than we know.
Our Father in heaven waits for us to join him. He sent Jesus to come get us.
How long will we continue to say we are too busy with worry. To tied up in anxiety.
How long will we say maybe next week…maybe tomorrow. When will we say, “Today Lord I choose you in all I do and say. I choose freedoms and truth and will open my hands and mind and heart and put nothing ahead of my yes for your offer for eternal life.”
It starts with one prayer. One yes. One small prayer to ask Jesus Christ to show us the way and let nothing come between us and his love for us.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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