Decorations can practically turn any venue into a grand place. We see normal places such as basketball courts, plain halls/tents and even parking lots be transformed into grand and majestic venues for events due of decorations. However, after the event, they take the decorations down and it becomes normal again. The beauty and grandeur is temporary. This is similar to worldly riches, fame, and power.
Nothing in this world is permanent.
In the gospel, we see people talking about the beautiful and grand decorations of the temple. However, Jesus told them that there will be a time when everything in the temple will be destroyed. Everything. No matter how costly or beautiful they may be, they will be destroyed. Jesus is reminding us of this as well, especially as we become busy with life.
It is easy to get lost in the busyness of life. As we work, as we grow our business, it is easy to focus on worldly things. Money. Fame. Success. Power. These things are not inherently bad, but they are when they take God's place in our lives. These become bad when we compromise our values and do bad things just to have them.
We should not trade our soul for temporary things.
If we focus too much on worldly things and on attaining them no matter what the cost, we may unwillingly be setting ourselves for eternal damnation. When we constantly disregard God and his teachings, when we compromise our values and do bad things to win in this world, then we are basically trading our eternity with God for temporary worldly things. This is something we should avoid.
They say that where our treasure is, there our heart is also. May we not put too much importance on worldly treasures, but on heavenly ones. Worldly treasures are meant to prepare us for better ones, and are meant to be shared in this world. We should also remember this, especially now that it is really important to share. Father Orbos always tells his viewers during mass that there are two things we should watch out for if we want to enter heaven: dirty money and unused money. We may not have everything, but we have what we need to survive, and we have enough to share. We should.
What are things I consider important? What are the treasures in my life? How much importance do I give worldly things? Do I compromise my values and my faith to get these? What is God reminding me today?
May we always be aware and know what is important, not only in this life, but in eternity.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for the times I compromise my values for worldly things. Help me be aware. Remind me when I am losing my way. Help me live right and pleasing to you all the time. May this life be my love letter for you and my preparation to spend eternity with you. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
November 24, 2020
Tuesday of Week 34; St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions
FIRST READING
I, John, looked and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man, with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the time to reap has come, because the earth’s harvest is fully ripe.” So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven who also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel came from the altar, who was in charge of the fire, and cried out in a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth’s vines, for its grapes are ripe.” So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury.
Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven who also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel came from the altar, who was in charge of the fire, and cried out in a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth’s vines, for its grapes are ripe.” So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
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