The WORD today reminds me that we should let go of certain things to gain greater things.
People usually do not want to let go. We can sometimes become too attached to something, to someone, to our possessions. There are people, including myself, who still have toys from our childhood, especially our favorite toys. However, some people are attached to greater things – to power, to richer, to fame, to things of this world. They do not want to share and to let go of these things, because they do not want their possessions to be decreased. They do not want their fame, power and influence to decreased. They value these material things so much.
Material things are very temporary. In the second reading, we see that all of these things get destroyed. However, the effects of these material, temporary things on us may be permanent if we are not careful. These material things can cause us to change, to have a hardened heart, to view things differently, and to live in sin – which has eternal punishment if we do not repent. That is why we need to let go.
Sometimes, letting go enables you to gain more than what you originally have.
In the gospel, Jesus told his disciples to cut off parts of their body that causes them to sin. Of course, this should not just be taken literally, unless really necessary. I believe that God is telling us that no matter how hard and painful it is, we should be detached from material things and from things, or comforts, that keep us away from Him. It may be hard, especially if these are our favorite sins, or these are things of the world that give us comfort and pleasure. However ,there is something greater in store for us. no matter how hard it is to let go and be detached, what we will get if we do it is far greater than what we originally had – for we will be getting eternity with God.
In the first reading, we see Moses telling Joshua not to be jealous for his sake. Probably what caused Joshua to tell Moses to stop others is also his attachment – attachment to fame and affirmation of doing good. He probably do not want others to have the same godly status as him – a prophet, a mighty worker for God. This tells us that even if we are doing God’s work, if we are not careful, these attachments can affect our service.
What are things I am attached to? What do I value in life? Do these things take God’s place in my life? Do my love and my service to God get affected by these things? What is God reminding me today?
May we be reminded to always check our hearts, and be ready and willing to let go of the things we should not hold on to.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another reminder of how you want me to live. Lord, sorry for my attachments. Sorry for holding on to things i need to let go – favorite sins, power, fame, money, influence – these things of the world that give my comfort and glory, but only in this world, not on your eyes. Help me let go. Help me to see the bigger picture, to remember you and your great love for me, to remember your promise of life everlasting in paradise. Give me the desire and the will to choose you over these things always. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 137
The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"
R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
