October 12, 2022

Reflection

IS  IT  WORTH  IT?

I was wondering if the question, "Is it worth it?" - is a good question to ask?

Is it the bottom line question in much of our decision making?

I don't remember ever asking that question specifically - in any of my decisions.

Yet, come to think about it, it's a good question.  It's worth thinking about whether something is worth doing.

It's a value question.

It's an energy question.

It's a use of one's time question. 

Is it worth getting out of bed this morning.

Is it worth marrying this person?

Is it worth it to become and then stay a priest.

Is it worth it?

The words "cost" and "time" and "life" appear in the background of this background question.

I'll have to re-read Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship once again.

Dietrich could have stayed in England a returned to Germany - but he must have decided it was worth it.

Jesus made promises or reward to those who would leave all to follow him. He must have been aware of the question, "Is it worth it?"

Did Jesus have to make the decision in the first place -  whether to become human and whether to follow the way to Jerusalem?

In the garden,  was he asking the question, "Is is worth it?"

At the end of our life, seeing everything, hopefully we'll say,  "It was worth it."

Isn't that "Yes" the secret of happiness?"