What matters most

In a bus stop somewhere in Spain, I went to a coffee machine, and with my basic knowledge of Spanish, I followed the instructions, inserted the coins, and pressed the button, and, success! As I was enjoying the grinding and dripping sound, I heard the frantic cry of the storekeeper shouting: “La tasa, la tasa!” I had it all figured out, but I forgot that which was most important—the cup!—————-

In today’s Gospel (Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48), Jesus reminds us not to forget what is really important in our lives. All too often, we are too busy filling up our heads with knowledge, our pockets with money, our hands with power and we forget to fill our hearts with love. May it not be said of us that at the end of our lives, our heads, our hands, and our pockets are full, but our hearts are empty.

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Our Lord tells us today: “It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire” (Mk 9:43). Take a look at your hands: There are people who have only one or no hands at all; Are your hands praying and helping hands? Are your hands stealing hands, killing hands, accusing hands, selfish hands, or violent hands?

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To whom much is given, much is also required. As we go through life, may we have open hands that give and share. May we not go through life with closed fists that hoard, that hurt others, that refuse to honor God in prayer. Please remember that when God raises our standard of living, we also must raise our standard of giving.

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Teamwork. We are a team in building up the Body of Christ. Let us build up one another. Let us not put down one another! And let us not abuse others, especially the little ones and less privileged. Those who deprive others of their rights, their money, and even their very lives, will have a lot of explaining to God. There is divine justice. Though slow, it will catch up with us, sooner or later, for sure.

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“I look forward to being older when what I look like becomes less and less an issue, and what I am is the point” (Susan Sarandon). All too often, many people think that life is all about looking good, and forget that life is all about being good and doing good.

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Turning 71 on Oct. 1. Not yet gone at 71, and that in itself is a reason to give thanks. I thank God, for giving me the chance to somehow love and serve Him and His people in any way I can. I still have so much to learn about true humility and true loving. Yes, the Lord has called me not so much because of me, but in spite of me; not so much to become a somebody, but to be someone to Him and to His people. May He keep me ever in His love. Amen.

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My prayer in my sunset years: Lord, may the rest of my life be the best of my life; may my exit be kind; may my final journey be light. Amen.

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October is the month of the rosary, and the month of the missions. May our devotion to Mama Mary make us not only devotees, but missionaries as well. May our Mama Mary devotion make us more humble, and more eager to serve and to share. We, who are prayerful must become more kind, more cheerful, and more grateful.

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Inviting you to our Walk with God to Manaoag this Oct. 5, 2024 (Saturday). We start this 13-kilometer pilgrimage walk at 5 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, and end with the 9 a.m. mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. Let us offer prayer and sacrifices for our country, our people, and for our so-called public servants and leaders.

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Food for the journey: “Never think hard about the past; it brings tears. Don’t think so much about the future; it brings fear. Live this moment with a smile; it brings cheers” (ctto).

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A moment with the Lord:

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