Quality, not quantity life
The story is told about a priest who had difficulty in getting a good collection in his Sunday Mass. How did he solve it? He instructed his two altar boys to take up the collection pew by pew at the offertory. When someone puts in a small amount, one altar boy rings a small bell that sounds like “Katiting (Very small)!” and the other beats a gong that sounds like “Dagdagan (Give some more)!”
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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 16, 19-31), Jesus warns rich people of their fate at the end of their lives, when they will be tormented because they were already comforted in this life. He also gives hope to the poor, who were tormented in this life and who will be comforted in the next life. As it’s said, the Word of God disturbs those who are comfortable and comforts those who are disturbed. Rich or poor, we are all called to love and share more, to keep going the extra mile, and keep giving the extra smile.
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“You are worth more than that.” The Lord’s message to us today is that our worth is not so much on what we have as on who we are to God. It is wrong for anyone to equate his/her own worth with what he/she has or has achieved. That is false security! Neither should one be imprisoned in unworthiness because of what he/she does not have or has not achieved. That is false insecurity! If you are materially blessed, you are worth more than your blessings. If you are not materially blessed, you are still worth a lot as a child of God.
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Credit and debit. There will be a final accounting in the end. Worldly accounting is inaccurate, if not unfair, or altogether unjust. Indeed, why do evil people prosper and good people suffer? So, it seems. But remember, those who prosper materially by evil ways, pay the price, even now. Those who suffer now because of their goodness likewise reap the harvest of peace, even now. Here and in the hereafter, God has a way of implementing His divine justice.
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Riches and power can really blind us and make us not see what is really essential, and truly important in life. I have met many rich and famous people. Some of them have edified me with their humility. Some of them have disgusted me with their pride, just because they have the money. Some of them are generous and some of them are stingy. Some of them are so free, and some of them are so imprisoned with their money. Some of them are preparing for eternity, and some of them are wallowing in luxury and comfort, with no thought of hell or heaven, come what may.
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Enjoy now, pay later, or endure now, and be rewarded later. Which lifestyle are you living? Which philosophy of life do you adhere to? On a deeper level, is your life all about the here and now in this world, or do you believe that there is a hereafter? Do you believe that you have a body AND a soul?
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A timely reminder from Psalm 62: “Do not put your trust in oppression nor vain hopes on plunder; do not set your heart on riches even when they increase; for God said only one thing, only two do I know—that to God alone belongs power, and to you, Lord, love, and that you repay each man according to his deeds.”
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Sept. 28 is the feast of our first Filipino saint, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, who was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan. A martyr is one who died for his/her faith. A saint is one who lived out his/her faith. Whatever, a martyr or a saint died or lived for something or someone greater than himself/herself. Whether we are rich or poor, let us live and die for something/someone greater than ourselves.
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Today, you have riches, but do you have a life? You have quantity in life, but do you have quality life? Average people will always go for quantity without measure. Principled people, on the other hand, know when to stop and say no to quantity and go for quality. So, when will you stop quantifying and start qualifying for life, and for eternal life?
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At 72, I don’t have much in terms of material riches and quantity, but I would like to thank God for His presence in my life. He has made all the difference. Because of Him, I am rich with faith, hope, love, and meaning. There have been failures, mistakes, and deprivations but, in humility, I say I am a rich poor man because of God’s presence in my life, unworthy as I am.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind us that true life is not so much about quantity, as quality.
Amen.
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