Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Tuesday for Week 20 for Ordinary Time
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of di Church – Memorial
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“But plenty people wey dey first go dey last, and people wey dey last go dey first.” Matthew 19:30
This short sentence wey dey for the end of today Gospel show us plenty things. E show say success for this world and success wey go last forever no be the same thing. Plenty times, we dey chase success for this world, but we no dey seek the riches wey go last forever.
Make we start with the “plenty people wey dey first.” Who be these people? To understand this one, we must understand the difference between the “world” and the “Kingdom of God.” The world mean popularity wey no get lasting value for any culture. Success, high status, empty glory, and things like these dey follow popularity and success for this world. The evil one na the lord of this world, and plenty times, e dey try to lift up people wey dey serve im unholy will. But as e dey do this, this kind fame dey attract and draw plenty of us. This na problem, especially when we begin let wetin other people think about us determine who we be.
Di “plenti people wey dey first” na people wey di world dey lift up as people to look up to and copy for dis kind success wey people dey celebrate. Dis na general statement, and e clear say e no apply to every particular situation and person. But we suppose recognise say na so tins dey generally go. And according to dis Scripture, people wey dis kind life draw dem enter go dey “last” for di Kingdom of Heaven.
Compare this with people wey dey “first” for the Kingdom of God. These holy souls fit receive honour for this world, or dem fit no receive am. Some people fit see their goodness and honour dem (just as people honour Saint Mother Teresa), but plenty times, people dey look dem down and see dem as people wey no matter by the standards of this world.
Which one matter pass? Wetin you truly prefer for all eternity? You prefer make people think well of you for this life, even if e mean say you go bend your good principles and the truth? Or you fix your eyes on the truth and the rewards wey go last forever?
Today, reflect on the goal to gather treasure for Heaven and the eternal reward wey God promise people wey dey live faithful lives. Nothing bad dey if other people for this world think well of you, but you must never allow that desire control you or turn your eyes away from wetin go last forever. Reflect on how well you dey do this, and try to make the rewards of Heaven your only goal.
Lord, abeg help me to seek You and Your Kingdom above every other thing. Make to please You and serve Your will wey holy pass all be my one and only desire for life. Help me drop the worries wey no good for me about fame and popularity for this world, and make na only wetin You think concern me. My dear Lord, I give You my whole self. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of di Day – Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
