1 Kings 18:20-39 / Mt 5:17-19
The New York Times once reprinted a few lines from the will of a renaissance gentleman who left to a “friend” all of his own leftover oaths and promises because, he said, it was obvious that his friend had “never kept any of his own!” Fidelity and commitment are qualities we say we treasure, but sometimes they seem in awfully short supply.
It has always been thus, and so it’s no surprise when we hear the prophet Elijah saying to the people in today’s Old Testament reading, “How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow Him. If Baal, follow him.”
It’s not only politicians who are chronic fence-straddlers. Too much of the time, we ourselves are neither off nor on, in nor out. Jesus had a clear response to that ailment: “Be either hot or cold. If you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
It’s time to make a choice about the Lord and about your life. Don’t stall and don’t quibble anymore. Just say “yes.” It will be the beginning of a new life.