DAILY HOMILIES #God's Commandments

Our world continues to experience the effects of individual and collective sinfulness. Today, the devil tries to make us believe God’s commandments are outdated, oppressive, or impossible to follow. Don’t fall for these lies. Following God’s commandments always benefits you. Societal values may have changed, but God’s words will never change. A sin remains a sin no matter how society describes it. The peace and happiness you seek can only come from obeying God. The devil has nothing good to offer.

Being wealthy is not a sin, but when one’s wealth stems from rejecting God, such riches are worthless. If your income comes from disobeying God’s commandments, engaging in illegal activities, or even worse, taking lives, you have prioritised riches above God. It is better to be content with little than to find comfort in ill-got gains. It is preferable to face persecution than to risk losing your soul for money.

Nevertheless, prayer does not replace work. Prayer will not put food on your table; instead, it will give you the confidence to leave your house to search for food. You are not afraid to leave your house because you know God will bless the work of your hands. However, when you remain at home hoping that someone will bring the food to your doorstep or that the food will suddenly appear in your kitchen, you are now attempting to do magic. Prayer does not replace work; it blesses the work we do.

St. Paul says, “If you live according to the flesh, you will die.” This was the same warning God gave to Adam and Eve, but the devil convinced them that they would not die. Many Christians still do not believe they would die if they gratify the desires of their flesh at the expense of obeying God.

Today’s Gospel passage continues Jesus’ response to Peter when he tried to discourage Him from the Way of the Cross (the road of suffering, humiliation and death). Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” What does this mean? St. John Chrysostom said, “When you deny a person, for instance, say, a brother or a close friend, it means you would fail to defend that person or try to rescue him when you see him beaten, kicked, slapped and tortured. And so, when you deny yourself, you do not resist whatever sufferings, beatings, or humiliation come your way due to your Christian Faith.”

God’s commandments (righteous living) were never intended to punish us. These commandments are for our happiness and prosperity. To think that there is something to gain from going against God’s instruction is to believe the devil’s lies. What did Adam and Eve gain from their disobedience?

The Price of heaven is simple: Keep God’s commandments. This was Jesus’ instruction to the rich man Last Sunday. The second step is detachment. The entrance into heaven is like the “Eye of a Needle.” We cannot pass through this gate with our luggage. Today, Jesus mentions a third step – the sacrifice of one’s very life for the good of others. Jesus asked James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” (Mark 10:38).

The truth is that everything we desire in life, be it peace, prosperity, fame and so on can only come to us if we keep God’s commandments. We cannot live in disobedience to God and still expect the best things in life.