1ST READING. 50:4-9. PSALM. 68. GOSPEL. MATT 26:14-25.
THEME: LOVE OF MONEY
INTRODUCTION
The scriptures tell us that the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.(I Tim 6:10).
This scripture is being fulfilled in the life of Judas in today’s Gospel reading. The Evangelist tells us that one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, what are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you? They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. (Matt. 26:14-15). The question we should examine closely today is between Money and Jesus who comes first? Please, don’t be too quick to say Jesus. We need to examine our priorities, our activities, our attention, our time and energy. How much time do we have for the kingdom of Christ. The choices we make daily can easily show whether we love Jesus more than money or we love money more than Jesus. In following Jesus, many of us have settled for the gains and comfort of serving him. Many are not willing to go extra mile for the sake of Jesus but they will go extra mile for the sake of money. Pls, let everyone of us pause for a moment and think seriously about his or her love of Jesus. When it comes to signing contracts we don’t go late but we go late for Mass. When it comes to seeking for Visa, we don’t go late to the embassy but we keep Jesus waiting. When it comes to pursuing business that will bring in money we skip Mass, saying the Lord understands. Today, we find it easy in pursuing the world than things of God. The more we love our Comfort, our convenience, the more we are capable of being Judas. Let everyone of us sincerely examine where we stand. It is an individual exercise. The scripture says the love of money is the root of all evils. It means, at the center of every evil there is love of money. Another way of putting it is the inordinate love of self. We should sincerely and truly love ourselves. But if this love becomes inordinate we become Judas. It is this inappropriate love of self that led Judas into the temptation.
If we don’t love Jesus more than ourselves we become Judas. If we put our convenience first in following Jesus, we turn to the way of Judas. We must therefore be careful how we love ourselves. We must learn to be content with the little we have. We must put Jesus first in our lives to be his true disciples.
The Master has a message for us. “If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:26).
Here lies the key to overcome the tendency of Judas in everyone of us. If we want to follow Jesus faithfully, we must love Jesus above every other persons in our lives.
This is the key to live well. This is key to overcome inordinate love of Self. Put Jesus at the center of your life, there will be harmony, goodness, peace, joy, kindness and every other good virtues.
May the Lord help us to think less of self and more of God. May the Lord give us the grace of Divine Love. May the Lord heal us of the wounds of selfishness. Amen. Wishing you an awesome day.
With lots of prayers and love.
