thursday after ash wednesday

​Date: Thursday, Feb 15
Contributor: Marilyn Baldwin
Readings: https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/ThursAfterAshWed.html
 
I recently saw a meme online that made me smile, and I shared it. A group of monks is gathered around the Buddha, and one asks the question, “Buddha, what makes us human?”  The answer: “Selecting all images with traffic lights.”  Now, that may qualify us as human online, but we know that there is far more involved than just that!  No doubt, AI will soon learn how to “fake it” so it will cease to be a valid test.
 
The real test comes to us more often - and sometimes way too often.  Decisions, decisions!  We have been granted free will by our Creator, and God wants nothing more than to have us prosper as whole and healthy people, loving God and each other. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…”.  Choosing life is for every decision we make, from the least significant to the most. Every part of our life depends on whether we make God our first choice, or somewhere farther down the line. Our life depends on it. Choose life, that you may live fully and abundantly.