Not ATM, but the Life After

Author: Chrisma C. Bangaoil
"Living for Eternity: Finding Purpose Beyond the Here and Now"
Reflection Date: November 15, 2024 Friday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time 
Daily Readings: 2 John 4-9; Luke 17:26-37

Today’s Gospel might seem to frown upon eating, celebrating, or engaging in everyday activities. Are we, then, not supposed to eat, get married, or work?

What the Gospel is actually reminding us is not to become so absorbed in worldly affairs that we neglect preparing ourselves to meet our Savior, who will come at a time only He knows. Unfortunately, we often become overly focused on the present, the “here and now”—or as some put it, “ATM,” meaning “At the moment.”

In the Christian context, the “here and now” should be a pathway to eternal life. The present moment doesn’t end with itself; our mindset should be that everything we do now connects us to eternal life with the Father.

The first reading warns us of the need to look inward so as not to lose what we have worked for but to receive a full recompense. We work daily to detach ourselves from material things, futile pursuits, and superficial connections so that we may be freer to love, serve, and be with Christ. This is our full recompense—a life with Christ.

A call to action for Catholic living: As we go about our daily responsibilities, may we always give priority to our relationship with Christ. May our focus on the present moment be directed toward those things that can bring us to eternal life.