20260909 LOOKING AT LIFE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ETERNAL
09 September 2026, Wednesday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
First reading |
1 Corinthians 7:25-31 |
The world as we know it is passing away
About remaining celibate, I have no directions from the Lord but give my own opinion as one who, by the Lord’s mercy, has stayed faithful. Well then, I believe that in these present times of stress this is right: that it is good for a man to stay as he is. If you are tied to a wife, do not look for freedom; if you are free of a wife, then do not look for one. But if you marry, it is no sin, and it is not a sin for a young girl to get married. They will have their troubles, though, in their married life, and I should like to spare you that.
Brothers, this is what I mean: our time is growing short. Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own; and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 44(45):11-12,14-17 |
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:
forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty:
He is your lord, pay homage to him.
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.
The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour,
her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions.
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy;
they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers:
you will make them princes over all the earth.
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.
Gospel Acclamation | 1Jn2:5 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said,
God’s love comes to perfection in him.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Luke 6:20-26 |
Happy are you who are poor, who are hungry, who weep
Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’
LOOKING AT LIFE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ETERNAL
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 COR 7:25-31; LUKE 6:20-26]
It was St. Thomas Aquinas who observed that no one can live without joy. Indeed, what is life if it is joyless? Such a life would lack true meaning and purpose.
All of us seek happiness, assuming it is identical to joy. The truth is that happiness and joy are not the same. Happiness depends heavily on external events–such as recognition, success, human affirmation, and carnal pleasures. It is largely emotional and circumstantial. Joy, however, is far less tangible. It flows from within and is not dictated by external factors, but by the state of our hearts and minds. While happiness is fleeting, joy endures throughout a person’s life, provided the heart and mind remain rightly focused.
Although the Beatitudes in today’s Gospel use the word “happy,” a richer rendering is found in Saint Matthew’s use of the word “blessed.” The Greek word makarios is best translated as “blessed” because it unites happiness and joy, pointing to a spiritual foundation for lasting happiness. Makarios describes a joy that transcends worldly circumstances because it is rooted in the eternal–in God Himself. This explains why those who lack spiritual joy chase carnal pleasures, because their inner lives are empty. Yet, worldly pleasures can never yield true happiness, offering only passing excitement.
Within this context, we can better appreciate today’s Scripture readings, which might otherwise sound archaic, impractical, or even counter-life. How can we tell people that married life is not the ideal way to live, or that it is second to celibacy or singlehood? This is the impression one might have, if we only have a cursory reading of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Paul seems somewhat negative toward marriage, being single and celibate himself, as was our Lord. He writes: “Well then, I believe that in these present times of stress this is right: that it is good for a man to stay as he is. If you are tied to a wife, do not look for freedom; if you are free of a wife, then do not look for one. But if you marry, it is no sin… They will have their troubles, though, in their married life, and I should like to spare you that.” On the surface, it sounds as if getting married is an unnecessary burden best avoided for the sake of peace.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus’ teaching likewise stands in contrast to the world’s values, presenting a radical reversal. He teaches that a blessed life does not consist of wealth, fame, or pleasure. Rather, true blessedness is found among the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and those who are persecuted, for they will be rewarded with heavenly abundance and eternal joy. Conversely, those who are rich, contented, and well-regarded will suffer sorrow, spiritual hunger, and the fate of false prophets. How do we make sense of these four blessings and four parallel woes?
To understand the teachings of our Lord and St. Paul, we must understand their context. St. Paul is certainly not denying that marriage is a beautiful gift from God and a special charism. In his letter to the Ephesians, he exalts the dignity of marriage by comparing it to the bond between Christ and His Church: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind – yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.” (Eph 5:25-32). Nor is Jesus advocating material and economic poverty; or that we must be sorrowful and make ourselves hated by others. He is not a joy-killer; He came to give us life and to “have it abundantly.” (Jn 10:10).
Therefore, we must go beyond a superficial, worldly reading of these exhortations. Both Jesus and Paul look at this world through the lens of eternity. When Jesus speaks of the poor and the rich, He is not making statements about people with a certain social or economic standing, nor is He advocating material poverty for its own sake–except insofar as wealth can make us self-sufficient, proud, and overly attached to this world. Neither is He advocating a social or political ideology. Rather, the Beatitudes call us to be faithful to God, who exercises justice for all. God desires that we live as His children, relying on Him rather than on ourselves. Spiritual poverty is to be dependent on God, so that we learn to be mindful of His love for us.
So what Jesus asks is for us to set our hearts on the heavenly Kingdom, for true happiness can only be found in God. When we depend on Him, we become aware of our own finiteness. Making room for God allows us to see all things in their proper order, relative to God and eternal values. In poverty of spirit, we realise that true joy comes not from material abundance or popular acclaim, but from peace, love, and freedom in God. Joy is truly ours when we feel content with or without the things of this world. Only spiritual things will last and give joy to our hearts. When we hunger for God’s presence, His Word, and His love, we will be strengthened and filled with His Spirit. Indeed, the Beatitudes strengthen us in virtue. Living a virtuous life is the blessed life that Jesus desires us all to have. With the virtue of temperance, we are no longer greedy or grabbing. With the virtue of mercy, we learn to feel for our brothers and sisters.
This too was the context of St. Paul when he spoke about marriage. Paul wants us to go beyond this earthly life. He was speaking in the context of the second coming of Christ, when there will be no more marriage in heaven, except our union with God and with our brothers and sisters. For Paul, nothing was more important than to be ready when Christ comes. Since he believed Christ was coming soon, believers were not to allow unnecessary distractions that prevented them from being ready to welcome Him. They had to consecrate whatever time and resources they had to prepare themselves for the coming of Christ by being devoted to Him, totally focused on Him, and doing all they could to make themselves worthy to welcome Him.
Getting married, in this instance, was seen as allowing oneself to be distracted. However, those who were already married were to live their vocation to the fullest, as that was how they would prepare for the coming of Christ. Regardless, our minds should be focused on Christ–whether we are single, or married and serving our spouse and family. In this way, all that we do will be directed toward the coming of Christ.
Consequently, when Paul advocates celibacy and singlehood, it is with the intention that we might give ourselves entirely to the building of God’s Kingdom. This explains why, in the Roman Catholic tradition, priests are celibate–so that they can devote themselves entirely to the service of Christ, His people, and His Kingdom. More than just providing service, a priest must make Jesus the most important person in his life. His heart and mind must be so focused on Him that he becomes one with Him, thus truly able to act in persona Christi–in the person of Christ. The freedom and availability of those who are single or celibate is not for them to have an easier life or live like a carefree bachelor. Rather, it is a call to be more available to others for service and for the building of the Church.
Ultimately, whether we are single or married is secondary. Both states of life–whether single or married–are difficult. It depends on our charism, but regardless of our vocation, it is Christ whom we must serve. In everything, we must work for the eternal values of the Kingdom according to our state of life. Indeed, “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:33). Only those who hold spiritual values will be able to enjoy the things of the earth with true contentment.
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved
