"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life."

 Gospel text (Mk 8:34-9,1): Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”

Reflection:

The Gospel talks about the great teaching of Jesus. It is good to reflect that material things on earth do not matter in the Kingdom of God. It is not good to acquire material things on earth by doing it against the will of God. "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life." This particular message of Christ is very powerful. Some of us would like to become rich at the expense of others. Or some of us got envy of the wealth of others despite that the acquisition of that wealth come from illegal means. Never get envy for those rich whose wealth is from illegal source. We must work hard and get that material wealth so we may enjoy them with clear conscience.