Deadline
Did you hear the story about the doctor who gave his patient six months to live? Well, the man could not pay his bills, so the doctor gave him another six months!
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The Gospel today (Matthew 21:33-43) speaks about a landowner who sets a deadline for his tenants to produce fruits in his vineyard. Jesus reminds us not to be complacent and lazy. We all must give an accounting of our lives to the Lord in due time. The message is that life is not a vacation, but a vocation, a call to do something good and worthwhile while we are still alive. And the message is clear: there is a deadline where there will be no more extensions nor exemptions. At the end of our lives, when we face the “final curtain” may we come before the Lord with hearts filled with love.
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We know that we carry nothing with us to the grave, yet why this frenzy to earn more, acquire, and accumulate more? I’ve quoted it before and I quote again: The riches you give away are the only riches you bring with you to eternity. The rest, you leave behind. Make sure then that you are investing right, and not just investing well. At the end of our lives, may we not end up saying to ourselves “Sayang … mali (I was wrong).”
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You can’t go wrong if you invest in love. The love and goodness in your heart are never gone and will not be wasted. You may be left out, you may get hurt, you may be misunderstood, laughed at, or even persecuted if you love, but, love on anyway. For a while, you may even experience the futility, the foolishness, yes, even the stupidity of it all, but love on anyway, for in the end, the greatest achievement, the greatest investment in life is love. Are you investing enough love in your life? Are you investing in love at all?
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Some years ago, I saw a backhoe half submerged on a seashore. I learned that this expensive machine was being used in a dredging operation when its engine conked out. The operator tried to fix it, but it was too late. The tide set in, and there was no more time to get it out. What a waste, this multimillion-peso machine, rusting away along the seashore. What a waste to see some people so unproductive and idle, going nowhere just because they have been overtaken by events, or have been overwhelmed by difficult situations, many of which are of their own making. When the Lord looks at you and me today, is He pleased with the life we are living? Does He look at you and me with a nod and a smile? Or does He look at you and me with a frown or with sadness in His eyes?
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Public leaders must not forget that they are just tenants, and they are answerable to the landowner. Power is just leased to them, and their power emanates from the people whom they have promised to serve. It is not only saddening, but also sickening and disgusting when so-called public servants become arrogant, proud, deceitful and, abusive. And it is doubly saddening when they get away with such behavior, or so it seems.
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“Wala na ngang ginagawa, gumagawa pa (Already doing nothing, and still, making money).” This best describes many of our so-called public servants. They have all the perks and privileges, and they rake in all the money (of the people!), and they do not really serve. How long will this situation go on? When will public servants become real servants?
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When we face the Lord someday, and he will look at us straight in the eye, will we be able to look at Him and say: “Lord, I have done my very best to the best of my ability, I have not been a source of hurt to my brothers and sisters”? In humility, relying on God’s mercy, may we all meet our Creator someday without regrets, because we have really done our very best.
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Please be reminded of the “Driver’s Prayer” which goes this way: “Lord, grant me a steady hand and a watchful eye, that no one may be hurt as I pass by.” A beautiful prayer for all of us, as we go through life. But somehow, I get the feeling that some people deliberately hurt others so that they can pass by.
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October is the month of the rosary. Let us not belittle this simple prayer which reminds us of our littleness and our dependence on God in union with the Blessed Mother. There are people who pray proud. I’d rather pray humble and simple.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind us that there will be a final deadline, when all of us will fall in line before You at the end of our lives. Amen.
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