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Gospel Reading for August 7, 2026 – Matthew 16: 24-28
REAL LIFE
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
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There is a story about a man from the province who visited Metro Manila for the first time. He was taken to the huge malls, magnificent fountains, and luxurious resorts. Overwhelmed by what he saw, he exclaimed, “So, this is the REAL LIFE! I wish I could stay here.”
But is it really?
Working on a farm to grow vegetables and fruit, raising livestock to feed one’s family and to provide food for others—including those living in crowded cities where there are few farms; having more time to spend with family because life is not consumed by the countless distractions of the metropolis; enjoying the beauty of nature at its finest; breathing cleaner air with less pollution; living in peace and quiet with less traffic, construction, and noise; and experiencing a strong sense of community where neighbors genuinely care for one another. Life moves at a slower pace, bringing less pressure and stress.
Isn’t this the REAL LIFE?
Many of us, however, are tempted to believe that REAL LIFE consists of having every comfort and luxury imaginable; becoming popular and occupying prestigious positions in business, government, or the academe; earning far more than the average worker; accumulating wealth and properties; moving in elite social circles; and building a large bank account.
Yet the more our hearts become attached to these things, the more difficult it becomes to follow Jesus, who tells us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Does this mean that Jesus does not want us to enjoy life? Certainly not. Rather, he teaches us not to pursue happiness at the expense of others—not to become indifferent to the suffering and needs of those around us, or worse, to become the very cause of their suffering. A life centered only on ourselves is not the life Jesus calls us to live. We are not created for nothing. Ironically, the more we cling to that kind of life, the more we lose what REAL LIFE truly is.
We are created for a purpose: to do our share in making the world a good place to live in for everyone, using the gifts/talents God gave us.
Lord Jesus, help us to live the life you desire for us, for we believe that this is the only life that leads to eternal life. Amen.
