“decide today” (jos 24:15)
“Crowd upon crowd in the valley of decision; for near is the day of the Lord in the valley of decision.” —Joel 4:14
In today’s first Mass reading, God invites the nations to gather in the valley of decision. He tells the nations, in effect: “Bring up your weapons of war; I want to see all your military might” (see Jl 4:9). The nations think they will be fighting; in reality, they are gathering to be judged.
In the valley of decision, the angels apply the sickle to the harvest at the end of time. There is to be a reckoning, a Judgment Day. Jesus is coming again. We don’t know the day or the hour (Mk 13:32). Therefore, we must be ready for His coming now. “Now is the acceptable time!” (2 Cor 6:2)
Joel is prophesying: “This is it!” The judgment in the valley of decision approaches. There is a real eternal damnation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1022). There is a real, eternal heaven and hell (Catechism, 1023, 1033).
Accordingly, what will you decide in the valley of decision? “Decide today” (Jos 24:15). “Why delay, then?” (Acts 22:16) We’ve heard the Word of God on this subject. Choose Jesus, “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25).
Prayer: Father, if I don’t decide today for You, I may never decide for You in the future. Help me to accept the grace You are giving me this moment. I give my life to You today, tomorrow, and forever.
Promise: “Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” —Lk 11:28
Praise: St. Denis was born in Italy but became the Bishop of Paris. He was martyred in France on Montmartre, the “mountain of martyrs.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.