Gratification

It's often said that, today, patience is a lost virtue.

Everyone wants immediate gratification.

Surely that's an overstatement, but there's some truth to it.

We have fast food, movies on demand, instant communication and even speed dating.

We live in a highly material, consumer oriented culture.

When we see something we want—we get it then and there.

Rapid advances in science and technology make the possibilities seem limitless.

We come to expect quick satisfaction in broader areas of our lives.

We're annoyed that security delays can make a trip across the country take seven hours.

We're tired of waiting for the economy to improve.

We can't believe it's taking this long to perfect an artificial heart and a cure for cancer.

We really do have great expectations, and great eagerness in many areas of life.

And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

So long as we avoid greed and a presumption of entitlement.

And maintain our ability to step back and take a realistic look.

There are other areas where we fully expect to wait for gratification.

And maybe wait for a very long time.

Many expect to wait a long time to be rewarded for obedience, sacrifice and service.

So often, when we hear of the importance of doing the right thing,

There's an emphasis on rewards in the next life.

But, as we hear in today's Scripture, this is not an area where we have to wait.

We actually can get immediate, and lasting, gratification.

The passage from Sirach describes what it means to do the right thing—to be upright.

Keep the Commandments, they promote peace.

Perform acts of charity.

Avoid acts of evil and injustice.

Give generously and cheerfully.

We're told that these acts will never be forgotten.

And that we'll be repaid many times over.

Hasn't this been confirmed for us in our own first-hand experience?

We've felt the immediate joy that proves it truly is better to give than to receive.

We've felt the immediate satisfaction of helping someone in need.

We've seen that the Commandments are not mere tests for entry into the next life.

But solid guidance for happiness and peace in this life.

In our Gospel, Jesus makes the reward for the upright, and its timing, even more explicit.

We will receive a hundred times more, now, in this present age.

And eternal life in the age to come.

With the right attitude and priorities we can have it all.

Immediate gratification and ultimate, eternal gratification.

Tuesday of 8th Week in Ordinary Time

Mk 10:28-31                                    Read this Scripture @usccb.org