DAILY HOMILIES #procrastination

Never keep until tomorrow whatever good you can do today because you do not know what day will be your last day on earth. This fact is symbolised by the ashes we receive today. “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust, you shall return.” Ashes remind us of our death, the fact that one day, we shall become dust, and the fact that we profit nothing if we gain the world and lose our souls.

Have you ever invested money in a business only to realise you were duped? This is how God feels if we fail to bear the expected fruits. You may wonder: “Why do we have to face judgment?” No farmer plants without returning to reap the fruits of what he has planted. We shall only face judgment because God knows He has put so much good in us.

Jesus is not trying to monetise God’s kingdom (after all, no money is enough to buy heaven). Rather, in these parables, Jesus is restating the first commandment: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, cf. Mark 12:29-30, Matthew 22:37 & Luke 10:27). To love God with all of one’s heart, mind, soul and strength is to sell off anything capable of occupying your heart, mind or soul. In other words, do not let your possessions or earthly pursuits take the place of God in your life.

John the Baptist speaks in the present tense: “Even now, the axe is laid to the root of the trees… his winnowing fork is in his hand…” Meaning “now is the time; the harvest has begun already.” Live your life like someone who knows that death is just around the corner.

Indeed, if we must boast at all, there is only one name we can fully rely upon; it is the name of God. Only God deserves such a high level of confidence and trust.