“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Tuesday, 16th August 2016,
Twentieth Week of Ordinary Time
Ez 28:1-10; Deut 32:26-28, 30, 35-36;
Mt 19:23- 30
TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING AND FOLLOW CHRIST!
The ultimate end of man is to know, love, serve God and enjoy eternal life with him forever. And God wants to share with us this eternal life. It is a gift from God. We cannot achieve it through human efforts. Left to ourselves eternal life seems to be impossible to attain. But with God's grace all things are possible. However, wealth and power pose a great danger to inherit eternal life. In today's materialistic world, it is impossible to evade its influence. It is a great thing, in truth, to "give up everything'; but greater "to follow Christ".
Following Christ is our task, our work. In that consists the main part of man's salvation, but we cannot follow Christ if we do not leave behind everything which hinders us. Prophet Ezekiel in the first reading rebukes the city of Tyre and its ruler who have achieved great success in profit making business and through power. They put their faith and security in their possession and wealth which ultimately becomes their God in idol worship.
But Peter says, “We have given up everything" not only worldly goods, but also the desires of our heart. For those who remain attached even just to their own life, have not given up everything. Why does he issue such a strong warning to the rich? Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? it is because wealth can make us falsely independent. Many have refused to follow Jesus because it meant giving up a particular relationship, and others, like the rich man, because they would lose their position and their means of wealth. What about you?
Prayer: Lord, may I place You first in my life and choose You freely even though following You is costly. Amen.
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