Which way?

Someone once said that some husbands are like split-type air conditioners, i.e., no matter how loud they are outdoors, they are designed to be silent indoors.

In today’s gospel (Mt. 16, 21-27), Jesus tells us that instead of following the trend  of the great outdoors to be successful and greedy in this world, let us follow His voice and listen to His call to deny ourselves , take up our cross, and follow Him. It is only in the silence of the indoors of our hearts, and in the stillness of prayer that we can understand the foolishness of the Cross.

The world says: Step on the accelerator and go, go, go for money, fame, entitlement, and enjoyment. The Lord says: Step on the brakes and say no, no, no to the fleeting treasures and pleasures of this world that destroy our peace and lead us to perdition. We have a choice: to follow the way of this world, or the way of the Cross.

Think outside the box. Think God. “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” There is a big picture. There is always a different way, a new way of looking at things. Let us learn to give some room for the Divine in our thoughts, decisions, and plans. For those who operate mostly from their head, or from their mouths, or from their pockets, maybe they should try to operate from their heart, from their ears, and from their knees sometime, and they will understand that perspectives can change. Horizons do broaden. At any moment in our lives, let us be open to the stirrings of the Divine. Everything and everyone is temporary. Let us keep going toward our true North, and keep tuned to His instructions and plans.

“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” The consequences of sin and selfishness are not just about eternal life, but are already in the negative effects in our present life. Loss of peace of mind, loss of friends, loss of family, loss of values, loss of respect, dignity and self-worth, loss of health, loss of face, and even loss of sleep. Come to think of it: All for whom? All for what? Is it worth it all, this pursuit of worldly treasures?

“You missed your chance.” These are words we hope we will not hear from the Lord when we finally come face to face with Him. Please remember: To whom much is given, much is also required. Those who have been given wealth, position, power, intelligence, and talents, please don’t miss your chance to use these to help people and give glory to God, for “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

To make us understand what is really valuable in this life, someone suggested that we make a visit to three places that will help us stop, look, and listen to what life is really all about: namely, the hospital, the prison, the cemetery. A visit to a hospital makes us appreciate that we have health. A visit to a prison should make us grateful for our freedom. A visit to a cemetery should make us grateful that we are still alive. Life is short. Death is certain. When we leave this world, we carry nothing with us.

People who stand for their beliefs and principles, no matter what, are admirable. They are precious and few. On the other hand, people who are for sale and for safety are disgusting. They are plenty, but are of no value. Did you notice? Most of the people talked about in the news these days are either killers or thieves? What would be written on your tombstone after your name? ________, the killer? ________, the thief? ________, the liar?

Speaking of killers and thieves, remember how Jesus was crucified between two thieves?  What are the two thieves in our lives that “kill” us? The first thief is our past. If we keep on rewinding the hurts and failures in our past, we are robbed of peace of mind and peace of heart in our present life. The other thief is the future that we keep worrying about, which likewise robs us of peace. Let us give to Jesus our past and our future. Lord, my past, I leave in Your heart; my future, I leave in Your hands; and my present, I live in Your love.

Think about this: “Difficult roads often lead us to beautiful destinations.” The way of the Cross is difficult but it leads us to life and peace. The way of the world is convenient and comfortable, but it leads to stress and sadness.

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to choose and to stay on the way of the Cross even if, and especially when, it is not easy. Amen.