Don’t make money your God
The story is told about two really old friends who went out for a drive. They had a trip down memory lane, and it was fine until the one driving beat a yellow light, and then beat a red light. At the third intersection, they almost got into an accident. The one on the passenger’s seat said: “Friend, slow down. Drive safely, or we will both get killed!” Whereupon the one driving said: “Oh, am I the one driving?”
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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 14, 25-33), Jesus tells us that He is on the driver’s seat, and anyone who desires to journey with Him must learn to trust, obey, and follow Him even if that means parting with loved ones, renouncing one’s possessions, and carrying one’s own cross. The cost of discipleship is high. But so is its reward.
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“Who is driving?” Let us ask ourselves today if there is someone greater than us from whom we take instructions and marching orders. Is there someone we report to, listen to, and kneel down to? Please remember, there is a God, and you and I are not Him. Let God be God. Let man be man. And let not money or wealth be our God!
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“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple.” It goes without saying that the cross is a part of any disciple’s life. If there is no cross, if there is no persecution, deprivation, even humiliation, in a disciple’s life, he is not a true disciple, but a plain opportunist or a user. Carry your cross, and please don’t be a cross to other people.
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The journey to God’s heart really begins when we step beyond our comfort zones and go the “extra mile.” As long as we are focused on and attached to our wealth, career, family, and our circle of friends, the journey to God’s heart never really begins. When we are willing to leave everything and everyone for God, then the journey starts.
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Remember the story of two people who were shipwrecked? One was rich, and he would not let go of two bags full of money and jewelry. He drowned. The other was poor. His hands were free to swim and to hold on to floating debris. He survived. So, too, in life. Travel light. Don’t drown because of your worldly attachments.
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It happens that sooner or later, we encounter life situations which help us make that real journey to God’s heart. Sickness, failure, disappointment, separation, hurt, fear and shame can make us stop, and take the turn toward God’s heart. But it can also happen that such moments of misfortune can harden our hearts and make us run away from God. Remember, though, that one cannot flee from God too far or too long. All roads lead to Him in the end. The sooner we go to His heart, the better.
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Are you praying less, or have you stopped praying? Maybe it is because you are too busy (no time!) or you belittle the power of prayer (no humility), or maybe because you think praying is boring and useless (no patience). Or maybe you get discouraged that, despite your prayers, you still have sins and problems (no results!). Pray. Pray more. Pray on. Just keep on praying.
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September 8 is the birthday of Mama Mary. What made this lowly woman, this woman who had a doctorate degree in crosses and sufferings, survive and excel was her deeply prayerful life. Let us follow her more closely and faithfully in the road of prayer, and we, too, will survive it all.
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Sept. 8 is also the birthday of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), and on our 150th Foundation Anniversary, we are blessed with the Ramon Magsaysay Award given to Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, SVD for his “unwavering commitment to upholding the dignity of the marginalized” with his St. Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center and for his solidarity with the victims of extra judicial violence and their families. One with you in prayer and gratitude Fr. Flavie!
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Picture yourself face to face with God at the end of your life, and He asks you: “Who/what was your God when you were still alive?” What will you tell Him there and then? “When I was still alive, my God was _________ (fill in the blank).”
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind us that You, not money, is our God. Amen.
