In the Old Testament reading, Joshua asks the tribes of Israel to make a choice: Will you serve the Lord or will you serve other gods? In the Gospel, Jesus poses a similar question to his disciples: Do you want to leave?
God created each human person with free will. While God created us to love God, we have the choice to follow God or go our own way.
By their examples and choices, parents can help their children learn about Jesus, but ultimately, it is an individual's choice whether or not to follow Jesus. It is sometimes not an easy process of discerning and choosing which path to follow. Parents may get frustrated with their children as they go through this process of searching for what they believe and how they will express their belief. It may be difficult for parents as they see their children turning away from the faith in which they were raised.
Just as God is patient with each person, parents need to be patient and supportive of their children as they search their hearts for what they truly believe. Just as God always loves us and welcomes us back from our wayward paths, parents should continually express their love for their children and welcome them with understanding and forgiveness.
Faith Chat Question: To whom do you go when you are looking for meaning or seeking answers to life's questions?
Faith Response: Have each family member write on a slip of paper a decision that they have to make or a question that they have about their faith. Then invite each person to share, if they choose, what they wrote on their paper. Discuss options for their decisions or thoughts pertaining to their faith question. Put the slips of paper in a container on your prayer/kitchen table. Keep those decisions and questions and one another in prayer through the week.
Prayer: Jesus, Bread of Life, you have the words of everlasting life. Help us to be comfortable turning to you and to one another as we search for answers to our questions. Amen.
