Accountability is one trait that is lacking in the present generation. A lot of people seem to be getting away with anything; corruption, traffic violations, frauds in many institutions, malpractices, debts, crimes, deceptions, lies, and many more. Name it and most probably someone, at least, had gotten away with it. Honesty is not anymore the best policy, rather, it has become "not being caught"!
Today's Gospel is not anymore a revelation especially for us Christians but a strong reminder about the life we live. It reminds us that nothing is hidden. God, who is all-knowing, is aware of everything that we had done. He can see through our person. He knows what are our intentions and purposes. This fact is very relevant because we tend to live as if there are things that we can hide and get away with. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known." We can tremble in fear knowing this if we had done and are continuously doing a lot of sins. But we marvel in anticipation of the final day if we are striving to live a holy life always. This is the best way to approach life, according to the Lord. To live a life hiding and evading the public eye is very tiring and agitating. Besides, there are a lot of good feeling and peace in doing what is good and holy. Others may claim that they had a lot of satisfaction savoring the things they had acquired even via the wrong way, but it is always fleeting. The lingering suffering and anxiety are not worth it. This is further complicated and made difficult when repentance is finally ached for. Having been enslaved by sin, human effort alone is not enough. God, in His Spirit, is the needed presence to make it happen.
That is why we must never be duped by and fall under the snare of Satan. Jesus further said , " I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more." It is Jesus who is our friend. It is Jesus who will help us. It is Jesus who will see us through everything in life. Satan is cunning in the sense that he makes use also of "spiritual" things in the guise of material things. If we are not careful and discerning, we can be trapped and victimized. I know of a doctor who use to have a good life with his family, friends, and profession. Suddenly, he became a very popular and sought after doctor. Nothing wrong with being successful. But, his popularity, money, and prestige had opened a lot of "temptation gates" for him. His family time had been greatly affected. He became choosy with his patients. He was lax in his commitments. In other words, he had changed; and the changed was not really for the better. Worst of all, he acquired a mistress! After realizing what had happened in his life, he wanted to change. He told me that his life was better without the popularity, money, and fame. I told him that it was not the money, prestige and popularity but a lack of discernment and commitment to priorities. Satan had been successful in luring him to sin via those material progress. My doctor friend would not be hurt by those things, but his attitude towards them. With the right attitude, he can even make use of those things to advance goodness and have the best of life too. This is the point of the Lord Jesus when He warned us about those who can hurt us spiritually. That is always Satan's objective. And he will make use of everything we have to achieve that purpose.
The Lord Jesus assures us that He loves us. He assures us of His care. We are His best creation. But He needs us to be honest with Him. Having a relationship of honesty and trust would allow God to pour out all His blessings for us and thus make us the person He wanted us to be. If not, we can not get away with it when we face Him the way we are getting away with things here on earth. Accountability also happens in God's Kingdom.
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