INTENT ON PLEASING HIM

XI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Paul looks at human life here on earth and considers it to be living in exile. We don’t belong here; however, while we are here, we proceed forward with confidence. We are not alone in this journey, since we are in the hands of the Lord (Ro 14:8). As we move ever closer to our final destination, we must have only one concern: “We are intent on pleasing him”. To please the Lord, we must lead a way of life that is detached from this transient world. As we live in exile, we walk guided “by faith and not by sight” and this faith fills us with confidence.

The Lord has sown in us the seed of eternal life and salvation. Even though small, the seed germinates and grows until it will reach maturity and give fruits. Because we may not see immediate results, we may be filled with misgivings. However, we are not walking in vain. The Lord will make sure that his seed will produce good and plentiful fruits. The Kingdom of God is like a man who “throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.” (Mk 4:26-29).

When the time comes, we will be subjected to judgement: “For all the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad.” (2 Cor 5:10). While we live in this world, let us pay attention to Paul’s advice:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Ro 12:2).