There are moments in life when making a decision simply cannot be put off any longer.  Holy Scripture reminds us often that we are free to decide; from the beginning in Deuteronomy where we are told I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction” to early in St. John’s Gospel which tells us “Light came into the world.  Yet people loved the dark rather than the light.  We are free and the choices are clear. Both the First Reading and Gospel today speak of very particular moments of decision. 
           
In our First Reading Joshua, who after the death of Moses, led the people into the Promised Land gathers everyone together and says now is the time; either choose to serve the faithful, protective God who led you out of slavery or choose another god to serve.  The Israelites decided to serve the Lord.  Today’s Gospel brings to a close five weeks during which we have heard St. John’s Bread of Life discourse.  The meaning and implications of Jesus’ message have become clearer to those who have been following Him and a decision must be made.  They either desire to become one and enjoy eternal life with the Lord by eating His flesh and drinking His blood or decide to reject Jesus and His teaching.  Many decide to leave.  Peter and the Apostles decide to stay.  If you see your choice and believe like Peter the decision is clear; there is no other person you seek or place you want to go.
           
Paradoxically making a decision is both limiting and freeing.  Certain things are closed off to us, but ability to fully embrace and experience what we decide is suddenly available and appealing. Running against common thought of “keeping your options open,” it can seem daunting to jump off the fences we straddle, but that is exactly when we land awake in the loving hands of God. It is helpful to remember that even after the Israelites, Peter and the Apostles made their decision for the Lord they would falter, but they always remained in the merciful, saving hands of the Holy One, and so do we. 
           
What is the decision for you as a follower of Jesus Christ?  Is the most pressing decision facing you in your work life, in your family, or as a Christian witness in community?  Now is the time, this is the moment. We make decisions every day and they accumulate to form lives of darkness or light.  Many of Jesus’ disciples said This saying is hard.  Actually, straddling a fence and walking in the dark are really much more dangerous, but the decision is ours to make in freedom.  In our deepest truest selves however, we know there is no one else other than Jesus whom we want to choose.