In 2011, I was a Catechist at Christ the King Parish in Milwaukee Oregon. One time someone asked, “If God is all-powerful and all-knowing, then why doesn’t He prevent me from making mistakes or falling into sin? Wouldn’t it be much easier if He just made us follow His path?” But as St. John writes, “God is Love” (Jn 4:8). Because God is Love, He respects our freedom. God loves us so much that He does not wish to treat us like robots or machines. He does not force us to do His will. God gave us free-will to make good choices. In a way, we can compare God to a loving parent. Parents try their best to give their children tools for success. They try to teach their children by giving them good examples and practical advice for life. However, there comes a point when a parent must let go. Parents respect the choices their children make once they have reached adulthood and must exercise their freedom. Please do not get me wrong. In some cases, the child might make the wrong choices or use their freedom irresponsibly. This does not mean the loving-parent gives up. Rather the parent continues to remind and encourage the child to make the right choices, otherwise, there are bad consequences.
In today’s first reading from Sirach, we are reminded that God is a loving Father who respects our freedom. However, He wants us to exercise our freedom wisely. It says, “If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you…Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him…No one does he [God] command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin”(Sir 15:15-20). Through this reading, we can picture God the Father giving us His children practical advice for life. We are given just one life to live on earth. How are we living it? What choices am I making daily? As disciples, we know God has given us the tools for eternal life. We have the Scriptures, the sacraments, the commandments, prayer, and the law of Charity. But are using our freedom to choose God’s will? Sirach states, “Immense is the wisdom of the Lord” (Sir 15:18). God’s wisdom is far beyond the wisdom of this world. We know God will never force us to do anything because He loves us and respects the choices we make. But let’s take His advice seriously. The choice is ours.