Choices and Alternatives

Years ago, when a certain young man was eight, we were riding in the car with Grandpa and Grandma to a special dinner. Someone who was eight was doing something naughty, like being too squirmy and not using his seat-belt, as boys are apt to do. I was trying to break this habit, and had already had a "mummy discussion" on the subject, but naughtiness continued. He would not use the seat-belt. He was being stubborn, and not sitting up properly.

So, I said, "If you do not stop doing this, there will be consequences. Either you will be grounded for a day, or you will not be allowed to watch the usual Friday night movie." I usually gave choices in consequences.

Silence ensued. until the little British voice piped up, "Are there any other alternatives?"

We act like this with God. He presents us with our sins and, in His Mercy, gives us choices. We can choose from a variety of consequences. If we go ahead and sin, we incur several consequences. If the sin is venial, we remove ourselves from the road of perfection, and deaden our discernment and consciences.

If the sin is mortal, our soul dies, as we have destroyed grace, the life of God in us.

Consequences also come in natural ways, such as losing friends, or worse, as indicated in the mini-series on identity this past week, on the loss of a sense of who we are.

An entire life may be lost to sin. But, God, like most mums, is merciful and full of love and forgiveness. However, we have the unseen consequences of temporal punishment due to sin, which is called purgatory.

Only the saints, who may have had to endure purgatory on earth in order to become perfect, go straight to heaven.

There are no "other alternatives" except avoiding sin and begging God to keep us in His grace. We have the gifts of the Holy Spirit given in confirmation, as well as the virtues of baptism, to lead us to holiness.

Choose well.