Readings: Nahum 2:1,3,3:1-3,6-7, Deuteronomy 32:35-36,39,41, Matthew 16:24-28
I recall the days of my childhood when I hated waking up early to take my bath and prepare for school. I admired other children who were not going to school. I wished I could “enjoy” them. Schooling was the definition of “suffering” for me, but today, I wasn’t suffering anything; I was investing in my future. The extra hours of sleep I craved were payments I made upfront for my present life. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t make those sacrifices.
- Nothing good comes without a price, not even eternal life. We all crave profit, but the problem is having to part ways with the initial capital. Those who desire eternal life but are unwilling to deny themselves, walk the narrow path (cf. Matthew 7:14, Luke 13:24), carry their crosses, and follow Jesus’ footsteps are like persons who want profit but are unwilling to invest. As the saying goes, you cannot eat your cake but still keep it. This means you cannot ignore God while on Earth and hope to enjoy eternity with Him.
- Do you realize that, in heaven, the only business of the day is Divine adoration? How would you survive in heaven if you do not like singing praises to God or spending time in worship? Jesus asked: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” In other words, what would it profit you if you ignored God’s commandments now only to be cut off from His presence in the life to come? There is already enough pain and suffering on Earth. Why must we continue in the life to come?
- Jesus is inviting us to invest in eternity and live in such a manner as to be worthy of heaven after our death. If you do not attain heaven, everything else is useless. Regardless of one’s length of days or riches attained, without heaven, one has only lived a wasted life. Go to the graveyard; you will observe that you cannot tell the difference between those who lived in affluence and those who barely survived. What truly matters is where we spend eternity; it is neither how much we gather nor how much we leave for our children. To die in a state of disconnect with God is the worst kind of death.
- Are you looking to invest in eternity? Become a follower of Jesus. Deny yourself of sin’s pleasures. Let your light shine. Put God first. Today’s Gospel passage is part of Jesus’ response to Peter, who sought to dissuade Him from the path of the Cross. Jesus addressed Peter as Satan to highlight the danger of avoiding the Cross. Jesus came to the world to offer Himself as an oblation for mankind’s salvation; He did not come to enrich Himself with worldly riches. Following Jesus requires that we do not love the world or worship Satan in exchange for worldly riches. As Jesus said to the crowds on Sunday: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.” (John 6:27)
- Investing in a profitable life is not only about eternity. It also begins right here on Earth. Putting God first in everything you do will surely get you to heaven and help you enjoy a good life on Earth. This is Prophet Nahum’s message in today’s First Reading: “O Judah, fulfill your vows, for never again shall the wicked invade you; they are utterly cut off.” (Nahum 1:15). In the final analysis, it is the way you make your bed that you will lie on it.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us to attain a profitable life. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of week 18 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Nahum 2:1,3,3:1-3,6-7, Deuteronomy 32:35-36,39,41, Matthew 16:24-28).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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