Life Is Not Like a Billiard

One of the most dangerous philosophies we could fall into is determinism. For determinists, our behavior, action and decision are just the result of the previous events.

When Mila slapped Lane, she reasoned out that it was only because Lane previously flirted with her boyfriend.

Rico and Nicole were getting married because they had 'no choice': she was already pregnant .

For determinists, life is like a billiard: the reason why the black ball number 8 went into the basket was because it’s hit by the cue ball.

The truth is ... we are not like billiard balls. We are not ‘like’ any other thing. We are human.  We, humans are free to respond to a stimulus. Mila could have chosen NOT to slap Lane. Rico and Nicole could have chosen to re-think marriage if their only reason was because she was pregnant.

Each of us has the power to choose our way of action. We have the choice either to stay depressed after a failure or to get back up and fight again.  Each of us has the power to say 'no' to any malicious invitation. Each of us has the power to forgive.

Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus. But Judas chose to hate himself and to take his own life. Peter on the other hand, chose to forgive himself and to die on the cross too, proclaiming God's love...

Father,
Thank You for the gift
To shape our own destiny.
Thank You as well for the Gift of Your Son
Who brought us back to You.
Amen.