Saturday, December 11, 2010

Choices: Are We Willing to Accept the Consequences?

What is a choice? What does it mean for me to have a choice? God gives us all free will; in all that we do we choose to say "yes" or "no" to God, but the choices we make have long-lasting, sometimes even everlasting consequences. This may be hard for us to accept because we are not always willing to take responsibility for the choices that we make.


Eve had a choice. There was the forbidden tree in the middle of the garden, and Eve was physically capable of eating the fruit. However, in choosing to eat the fruit, she not only condemned herself but all of her offspring as well. God does not force Himself on anybody, but the choices that we make do matter and do affect those around us. Women are always talking about choice. As a woman, I am told by my society that what I do with my body, with my life, is a choice. And although I am physically capable of doing whatever I want, it is absolutely necessary for me to realize that in every choice that I make, I am saying either "yes" or "no" to God and His Will. Whatever decision I make, I must be willing to take the consequences for that decision, that choice. (Men, of course, make choices as well, and they must also think of God in all that they do).

Mary had a choice. The angel Gabriel came to her and announced that she would miraculously conceive and give birth to the Son of God. As a single woman, she was in a dangerous situation. She could have been killed. However, because she chose to say "yes" to God, Jesus came into the world and saved humanity. From Eve, original sin was born, but from Mary, peace, love, forgiveness, and eternal life was born.

"Everything is lawful for me," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is lawful for me," but I will not let myself be dominated by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).

We are daily given the choice to say "yes" or "no" to God. Do we always realize the far-reaching impact that our choices have on ourselves and on the world? Do we always realize that we are in fact saying "yes" or "no" to God? During this Advent Season, let’s start to think about this. It may dramatically change the way we live our lives.

5 comments:

  1. Thank you for the wonderful reflection, Carnival.

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  2. I do not think that our Lady had a choice. she was chosen by God before she was even born and the Archangel Gabriel said to her:
    "Hail Mary full of grace, blessed art you among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb...."

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  3. Hello Richard. Firstly, I would like to officially welcome you to my blog. Thank you for your comment. I certainly do believe that Mary was chosen before all of creation to be the Mother of God, but although she was chosen she still had the free will to reject God. God has a purpose for each and every one of us, but we have the choice to say no to him. Eve was chosen to be the mother of all the living but that did not mean that she could not fall. God does not force himself on us but he certainly has a plan for us.
    God Bless.

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  4. That's an interesting reflection Carnival on free will. One thing I would like to add is that we now have the help of the Holy Spirit.

    The nature of the flesh and the nature of the Holy Spirit work in diametrically opposite ways. We have to allow the Spirit to work in us to be truly good, and this means that we should "deny ourselves" and "take up our cross daily," and follow Him. Using our own self-control is futile.

    JI

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  5. Yes, JI I agree. When we say yes to God, we allow the Spirit to work in us. By our own will, we cannot be saved. God Bless.

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