Daily Choices

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on July 08, 2021

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:3-4) We have so much for which to be thankful to God! Paul’s letter to the Ephesians proclaims the big picture of heavenly blessings that await us as well as God’s purposeful design for our day-to-day renewal on earth.  God’s nature is graciousness and faithfulness. Yet again and again, through our daily choices, we fail to center our lives in God, living our faith inconsistently, with our loyalties divided between the world and God.  

 This Sunday’s Gospel describes Herod’s inconsistencies that led to the beheading of John the Baptist and more! Herod discerned that John the Baptist was “a righteous and holy man”. Knowing this, “he kept him safe”.  Although perplexed by John’s preaching, Herod enjoyed hearing him. Faced with a crucial choice, Herod could either openly declare loyalty to God by continuing to keep God’s servant safe or save his reputation by keeping his promise to give his stepdaughter anything she wanted. His stepdaughter demanded John’s head and although exceedingly sorry, he granted her request. His choice ended John’s life and resulted in deep spiritual consequences. Hearing that Jesus and his disciples were spreading the good news of God through preaching and healing, Herod was troubled. Tormented by the guilt he moaned, “John, whom I beheaded has been raised.”  He fell into even deeper sin, wrongly attributing the power of God seen in Jesus to John the Baptist.      

How do we manage guilt and inner tumult when we choose loyalty to the world over loyalty to God? We can be consoled because God in Christ is unchangeably loyal. By his suffering, death, and resurrection Christ reconciled us to God. We can humbly turn to our loving Father, seeking forgiveness and the grace to recenter our lives in Him. He renews us so that we may be presented “holy and blameless” to God. Thanks be to God!  

Tags: faith, hope, grace, forgiveness, john the baptist, loyalty, thankful, blessed, renew

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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