NUMBER OUR DAYS

All the readings for today points to only one thing, eternal life. In today’s 1st reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes we are asked to reflect on our life here on earth and where it is headed. We need to understand what’s most essential with regards to our existence. We all know that everything we have worked for in this life would have to be left behind and none of those we can bring with us when we die. The only way to surely profit from all our hard work is the reality that behind all of it is our motivation and desire to serve, praise and love God above all.  Amen. Hallelujah!

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

… Here is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and to another, who has not labored over it, he must leave his property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. 22 For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun?...

We are destined for much greater things that we can see right now. Thus we should set our goals higher than what people normally aim for in this life. Let us not reach the end of our lives regretting what we should have done or not and do what we have to do right now. We marvel at the capability of the human mind to function the way it was made to be but how much more can we not be amazed at how the mind of the Lord works from whom all things come. As humans we can not even go past a hundred years old and too lucky to be able to make it to that age nowadays. Everything passes away but what we can depend on to last for a lifetime through eternity is to fortify our soul with wisdom of heart. Time will come when there is no more room for sadness once we've decided for happiness for we have a God who prospers those who offers all his/her work for the Lord. God is Almighty and Powerful. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He has the final say on all things. Nothing is beyond His power and might. Isn't it a very nice thing to know that this very same God has also been our refuge and strength in every age. Learning of this story about an atheist who fasts for the destruction of the world should make us realize that we should not take things sitting down. The enemy does not rest until it snatches away our inheritance. We should keep our banners raised on high and never lose heart or be discouraged as the battle rages on we can be assured that we have a God whom we can always rely on and take refuge. We’ve got to be firm in our beliefs but things will always be easier said than done. Spiritual integrity is hard work but it surely is worth all of it. Today's psalm tells us how short our life here on earth can be compared to a life of eternity with God our Creator, refuge and strength. It is always never easy to picture matters of the faith and life after death. It is through the people who continue to be a source of inspiration and blessing for the community of God that we can gather the strength and courage to keep on fighting a good fight of the faith. Today’s psalm reading somehow captures the essence if not its entirety. Nothing else in this world matters more than this truth. God gave us life and to Him we all must return. The problem lies in the fact that we don’t really know when will that day be. We’ve got to be prepared at all times. What’s at stake here is eternity and is nothing compared to 100 years life span of happiness and prosperity, the most for healthy and active individuals. We can’t allow ourselves to live life carelessly and just cram at the last minute. I’ve seen quite a number of elderly people who have fallen into senility. Although nothing is too late, I still think that we are able to prepare as best as we could if we are still in our prime and high functioning mind and body than with such a condition. Let’s not wait long enough and keep procrastinating. May we all realize the importance of  numbering our days aright. Our first parents were the original sinners and we are just the copy cats. In a way we are better off than Adam & Eve in the sense that we have their example of disobedience set before us. We can choose to follow their lead or footsteps by giving in to deception which we know is a bad idea or we can learn the moral lesson of this story and gain wisdom of heart. The wisdom of heart can make us truly see and appreciate the things the Lord has done for us that bring prosperity, joy and gladness. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

R: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” 4 For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night. (R) 5 You make an end of them in their sleep; the next morning they are like the changing grass, 6 which at dawn springs up anew, but by evening wilts and fades. (R) 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O LORD! How long?

Have pity on your servants! R. Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands! R.

I was suddenly reminded of this friend whom I haven’t seen and talked to for a long time. Every time we have a chance to get together we always engage in a lengthy conversation and really enjoy our exchange of ideas. I should say we bond in a special way and agree in a lot of things. I noticed that we both have similar likes when it comes to the type of clothes to wear, the food to eat and the simple and healthy life we both prefer to live. Although there are some personal areas in her life that we haven’t talked about and which I haven’t dared  to ask, I have this feeling that if we are to go deeper into our friendship , I would have to inevitably face the challenge that Paul in today’s 2nd reading is talking about. I was able to say this because it made me realize the fact that it always seems easy to connect and bond with her. It must say that we can really be very good friends despite the fact that we only had a brief encounter when we first met and we hardly see each other. The things that Paul is telling us are things that could totally offend a person when directly told about it. We are living in a world full of deceptions, pretenses and lies. Sometimes we would be better off if we could just keep our thoughts to ourselves most especially the sensitive and very personal issues about a person. If we have a choice then we would rather not be involved and just keep silent about it. Sometimes not even immediate family members, close relatives and friends dare to do it.   Although there are times when we simply could no longer ignore the fact that God wants us to speak out and be bold enough to proclaim the truth. But this we can only do if we truly love and care about these people and be able to show them that it is really Christ that is in us and in all that motivates us to do so. A lot of things are easier said than done. Living our faith in Jesus Christ by example is definitely one of these things. It is good to know that we have scriptures to guide and enlighten us at all times and today’s 2nd reading is definitely one of them. Amen. Hallelujah!

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

… seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Think of what is above, not of what is on earth… Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.

Today’s gospel is definitely not a far cry from the messages being conveyed in all the other readings for today. In fact it is explicitly stated what will become of those who fail to store up treasures in heaven. Everything else will be for nothing if we are not wise enough to realize what’s truly important and essential in this life. We should not continue wasting and throwing away precious time and opportunities to invest and be rich in what matters to God. God is indeed a God who will always assure us and will never leave us feeling at a loss. There are so many conflicts going on around us and sometimes we get too carried away by the concerns of this world we sometimes overlook what's most important and essential. Although we are part of this world we should not forget that at the end of it all, the only thing that will matter is our stored up treasure that matters to God. What is our main focus in life? If we still find ourselves attached more to other things than what God calls us to do then we are in danger of missing the true wealth. It is easier when we have to choose between good and bad but more difficult when we are confronted with choices that are both good. Today's gospel speaks of a fool who did not make the wisest choices. We must pray for the gift of discernment in order for us to recognize what is truly important and essential in life. Today’s gospel is also another assurance from the Lord that He will never forsake nor leave us and will always uphold our cause. It is only right and fitting that we continue to give honor and praise to Him by reflecting God in our lives. We have to be rich in the eyes of God and not in the eyes of men. God's impression of us is what matters most and everything else will follow. Amen. Hallelujah!

                             

Luke 12:13-21

...“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”... … God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”