Anticipatory Joy
Are You an Eternal Risk-Taker?
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About twenty percent of a ladder's cost covers the manufacturer's liability insurance on that ladder. We live in a dangerous world - and in a litigious society, for which everyone pays. There are physical risks for the buyer and financial risks for the seller. Even with all the breaks, life is a walk on very thin ice.
But a soul risk beats a body risk, hands down. Who says? Jesus says - in the form of a simple but profound question : "What can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mt 16:26; see Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25). There's no risk in striving to save your soul, but there's great risk in not striving to do so. Repeatedly Jesus compares the risks of earthly vs. eternal life: "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" (Mt 16:25; see Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24, 17:33).
You will probably never experience risks like those of Paul and Barnabas - men who risked their lives for the name of Jesus (see Acts 15:26). But you may have to risk ridicule from fellow workers for Bible reading during your lunch break, or a scolding from an uncompassionate confessor, or a spouse's complaint for watching religious TV, or a teenager's rebellion against family prayer. Stand firm with Paul: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?....Trouble or hardship or persecution....or danger or sword?" (Rom 8:35). It's worth the risk!
This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
