In the book of Sirach today the prophet is given a clear choice: fire or water. “Stretch out your hand and choose.” Before man is life and death, good and evil. In the end we must choose. But remember this: “to none does He give license to sin.”

We have listened to these words since we were baptized but perhaps we have been hardened against hearing what they have to say; hardened by the world perhaps, or by being hurt when we were young, perhaps we are afraid not to sin because we would look too good to ‘be cool.’

The Scriptures reiterate, “The Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.”Paul speaks to us of a wisdom that is “for those who are mature,” for those who go deeper into the meaning of words, rather than being superficial and jejune.

So when we read the Gospel again this week, we will be able to understand what steps we must take in order to clearly decide what we choose: Life or death, good or evil, even evil in its most smallest form.

You have the words, now take the next step into their meaning and choose: Am I a true disciple of Christ or not? Am I willing to follow Him with actions.  “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ He will help you become more like Himself.