Choosing matters
It is the pattern of St. Mark’s to observe Remembrance Day as Remembrance Sunday the last Sunday before November 11.
This year I was struck by the aspect of “choice” in service. I am fully aware that in both World War One and World War Two many countries, including Canada, at some point introduced mandatory service. However, the draft did not remove choice. It was possible to be registered as a conscientious objector, a very difficult choice for many.
Our Old Testament lesson comes from the book of Joshua (Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25). This is the part where Joshua puts a choice to the people of Israel, namely, to follow God or to follow some other god(s). Joshua tells the people he and his house will follow God and the people promise to do the same. He makes sure they know what the outcomes of either choice may be and then lets them choose. I don’t deny he tries to influence their choice but at the end they are still the ones who make a choice.
We are faced with many, many choices every day. We are seldom faced with choices of such moment as whether or not to take up arms but we are faced with very momentous choices at times. I hope this message is of use to you in grappling with what it might mean to choose and what it might mean to review past choices.
As always, I would love to hear what you think of the sermon, or anything else, as you are inclined and able.
Blessings,
