ARE WE OCCUPIED WITH WORLDLY THINGS OR WITH HEAVENLY THINGS? - 11/04/22 (Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop)

Luke 16:8b

“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110422.cfm

Blessed Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo! Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that the children of the world are more prudent in some ways than the children of light. Even though we desire to deepen our relationship with God and even though it's contrary to God's will to live a worldly and sinful lifestyle, there is still something that we can learn from them. What is this? For us to know this, let's ponder on what it means to be "children of the world." Children of the world are those who are occupied with worldly things such as riches, honors, and achievements. It's not wrong to have wealth and resources or to have positions in our work. However, what's wrong is when God is forgotten by people because of placing other things as priorities over Him. Because of this, some are diligent in acquiring more wealth for themselves without taking responsibility for the needs of other people or the need to follow God's commandments. Some may feel that they don't need to think of heaven, prayer, sacraments and eternal life because they are already successful in this life. 

However, what they may not notice is that by living a worldly lifestyle, people are offending and hurting Jesus Christ who bore our sins on the Cross. We endanger our souls if we die in the state of grave sin. This is why Jesus is inviting us to be children of light, to take our identity as children of God. He enlightens us of our weaknesses and sinfulness for us to see that our purpose in life is not to be the richest in wealth but to love God and make Him loved. And yet, we also know that despite having a relationship with Christ, we still fall to sins. There are some aspects in our lives that are still attached to worldly things because of not yet being fully united to God. Learning from the worldly lifestyle means that we look at things and perspectives that need to be transformed in light of God's truth. If we are so obsessed in looking at entertainment and other news that are not helpful for our spiritual life, we should transform it by having more time in our prayers and in bible reflection. If the first and the last thing we do is to hold our phones and look on social media, we should place an effort in prioritizing our prayers as the first and last thing we do before we sleep. If we are always seeking the approval of people, we should be detached from these approval and constantly remember the presence of God and of all the angels and saints. If the thought of death tempts us to just engage in sins and seek worldly satisfactions like lust, we should change this perspective in such a way that we think of heaven and be motivated to follow God's commandments as we approach our death. We may have been living in darkness, but this is why Jesus is calling us to be children of His light. May we occupy our minds with heavenly things for us to have the hope of rejoicing when the time comes that we enter His Heavenly Kingdom. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Life of St. Charles Borromeo:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/-st-charles-borromeo/

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/