Daily reflection _ good intentions are not enough

GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH
The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the age to come.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
What kind of future are you preparing for? Jesus encourages us to think - to think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but throughout our journey towards eternal life as well. The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the age to come. Jesus tells a simple story of two imperfect sons to illustrate the way of God's Kingdom. Jesus makes His point clear, good intentions are not enough and promises don't count unless they are fulfilled. God wants to change our hearts so that we will show, by our speech and by our actions that we respect His will and are ready to do what He commands.
We hear the Lord ask, in the first reading of the Prophet Ezekiel, "Is it My way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair" (Ez 19:25b)? To look at ourselves is very difficult for us; sometimes we don't like what we see. Many times when things are going wrong around us we need to look within and evaluate and make positive changes. We also hear in the first reading to turn away from wickedness and be committed to what is right and just.
In the Responsorial Psalm for today, we pray, "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior. Remember that Your compassion, O Lord, and Your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in Your kindness remember me, because of Your goodness, O Lord" (Ps 25:4 - 7).
We base our whole life on this trust. We trust that God will never fail His children. This is our faith and this is our boast. He never fails and will not make us lose face. God offers each of us the greatest treasures possible: unending peace, joy, happiness and eternal life with Him. We can only lose these treasures if we refuse the grace God offers us to follow in His way of truth and righteousness. We truly need a personal relationship with Him on our journey!