In today’s readings we are looking at options – good and bad, right and wrong. With free will, we have actual options. We can choose, but those choices come with ramifications and outcomes. We have what we need to make good choices. We have the commandments. These laws are not capricious or onerous. They are appropriate and eternal. Don’t kill. Don’t cheat. Don’t steal. They come down to treating each other respectfully and showing that we love God by loving his creation. It’s really simple at its basis: love God and love one another.

We can and should choose to do that. Unfortunately, not everyone does. We can choose to do the right thing. We can choose to treat others decently and respectfully, but unfortunately not everyone does. Even some who call themselves Christians do not prove that by loving God’s creation and following the commandments. Jesus says in the gospel that we can choose to be good. We can choose to do right. We can choose to respect others and their property. But if we choose not to, even though we may gain some benefit here on earth, we will not gain a place in heaven. We know what we should do. We know how we should act. It’s no secret, and it’s really basic decency. This is an informed choice.

We can choose to do what’s right. We can choose to do good. And we should do it for its own sake, but if we do right, we will get a heavenly reward as well.