It is easy for some of us to get caught up with the ways of the world. Some of us strive for fame, popularity, titles, property, wealth, honour, and many other things that the world has to offer. Sometimes we end up doing things to put others down or to belittle others, in an effort to show how valuable or useful we are, in an effort to gain the attention of those who could reward us with worldly rewards. But let us ask ourselves honestly: How long will such rewards last? Can we bring such rewards with us in the afterlife? Would such rewards mean anything or is of any use when we die? Surely many of us know the answer to these questions, but how many of us are humble and willing to change our ways?
In today's reading, we are reminded: "You are as unfaithful as adulterous wives; don’t you realise that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God’s enemy... God opposes the proud but he gives generously to the humble. Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer he will come to you... Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up." God is ever so patient to us and gives us plenty of opportunities to grow closer to Him. He is offering us eternal life, not eternal damnation, but we have a choice: God does not force us to be with Him. We can choose to remain in Him, or we can choose to be away from Him. Of course, this does not mean that we should neglect worldly matters completely, since we still need to survive in the world while we are living. But what it means is we should get our priorities right, and strive towards what is eternal, instead of only being concerned about that which is temporary.
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