Sunday 27th September- 26th Sunday of the year

DETACH FROM EARTHLY TREASURES


Mk 9:38-43.45.47-48

I once met a man who believed he was everything a woman would ever want; he had good looks and so much wealth that he felt he was in control of every situation. He met this very simple lady whom he loved so much and wanted to marry but all she asked of him was to live simpler life, a life without so much riches but filled with much love, peace and happiness. He refused because he could not imagine a life without riches. This young man never found anyone as good as the simple lady and he remained single all his life.

The world we live in today is filled with all sorts of material attractions, things that are enough to buy  a man’s conscience and even his soul. It is true that the human wants are unlimited but we must always remember that the top item on our preference list should be the salvation of our souls. As young people we have different things and people that we unnecessarily attach ourselves to, ranging from clothes, jewels, phones and other gadgets. We also attach ourselves to certain people  believing that we cannot survive without them. Yet they add nothing to our moral and spiritual values but rob us of virtues . Christ is telling us today how vague these things are, for it is better to enter the kingdom of heaven without them than hell with them.
…If your eye makes you lose your faith, take it out! It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to keep both eyes and be thrown into Hell. (Mk 9: 45-47)

Let us then unlike the man in our illustration make sacrifices now that we may enjoy eternally at God’s side. No matter how far you think you can run to hide your riches from God, all he need take is a step to take it away from you.

PRAYER: Lord God, detach me from earthly treasures that I may find joy in your Kingdom.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 52 – What is heaven?

Heaven is God’s milieu, the dwelling place of the angels and saints, and the goal of creation. With the words “heaven and earth”we designate the whole of created reality. Heaven is not a place in the universe. It is a condition in the next life. Heaven is where God’s will is done without any resistance. Heaven happens when life is present in its greatest intensity and blessedness- a kind of life that we do not find on earth.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Everything will be purified by fire as a sacrifice is purified by salt.” Mark 9:49 GNB

Today’s reading: Num 11:25-29; Ps 19:7-12; Jam 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43.45.47-48