“There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.”

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: (1749 –1832: was a German writer and statesman)

Gospel Text: (LK 17:26-37)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As it was in the days of Noah,

so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;

they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage up to the day

that Noah entered the ark,

and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot:

they were eating, drinking, buying,

selling, planting, building;

on the day when Lot left Sodom,

fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.

So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

On that day, someone who is on the housetop

and whose belongings are in the house

must not go down to get them,

and likewise one in the field

must not return to what was left behind.

Remember the wife of Lot.

Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,

but whoever loses it will save it.

I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed;

one will be taken, the other left.

And there will be two women grinding meal together;

one will be taken, the other left.”

They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?”

He said to them, “Where the body is,

there also the vultures will gather.”

We are so preoccupied with our work, ambitions and projects that we often forget why God created us, which was to live a life of love.  A life lived without love is a life wasted.  And why should we love one another?  Why spend more time with our families?  Why enrich others instead of ourselves?  Why preach the Word of God when we could be doing more 'important' things?  Why not eat and drink as if there is no tomorrow? 

Because the world as we know it will one day come to an end.

Our lives will come to an end someday.  And what will remain is the kingdom of heaven God has prepared for those who have loved and given their lives for God and for others.  In the gospel, we read, "Whoever loses his life will keep it safe."  Whoever lives for and loves God and neighbor will enter paradise.  That is why we are given our time here on earth – to get to know God and to do good to our fellowman.