Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 10:26-33
Dear Friends in Christ,
Imagine a man named Jose, standing at a crossroads in his life. After years of hard work, Jose suddenly loses his job. He’s anxious about his future, not knowing how he’ll provide for his family. Friends and colleagues gather around him, each offering their advice—some well-meaning, some not so much. “Jose, you just have to do whatever it takes to make money,” one says. “Forget about your scruples. In this world, you have to chase after gold and treasure, or you’ll be left behind. Cut corners if you need to. That’s how people get ahead.”
Jose listens, but deep down, he feels unsettled. He remembers how fulfilled he felt working at the parish food pantry, helping families in need and comforting the lonely. He isn’t sure that chasing money at all costs is the answer. Instead, he feels drawn to serve, to lift others up, and to find meaning in loving his neighbor. Yet, the pressure mounts. Bills don’t pay themselves. The voices pushing him towards worldly success grow louder, and Jose finds himself torn between the world’s promises and the quiet tug of his conscience.
Caught Between Chasing Treasure and Serving Christ: The Gospel’s Clear Choice
How many of us have stood where Jose stands—caught between the world’s demand to chase after treasure and the gospel’s invitation to serve? Life presents us with choices that can be overwhelming, and in those moments, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Today’s Gospel gives us a clear answer in the words of Jesus Himself: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). These words are not just a spiritual slogan—they are a roadmap for every heart that seeks God.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges His disciples, “Fear no one… Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul… Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus knows the world can be a frightening place, especially when the world tells us our value comes from wealth, status, or possessions. But Jesus doesn’t promise an absence of hardship or suffering. Instead, He promises that if we follow Him—if we walk in His Way, trust in His Truth, and receive His Life—we will be led straight into the loving arms of our Father in Heaven.
Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life
Let’s pause and reflect: What does it mean for Jesus to be the Way? The world offers many paths: the pursuit of power, the allure of possessions, the hunger for popularity. But none of these roads lead us home. Only Jesus—who calls us to humility, mercy, and self-giving love—shows us the narrow path that leads to real life. Jose senses this. He knows that making money at any cost will leave him restless. He longs for a life defined not by gold and treasure, but by serving God and neighbor.
Jesus is also the Truth. In an age where everyone claims their own “truth,” Jesus stands as the unchanging, eternal Truth. He reveals the fullness of God’s love, the reality of sin, and the promise of redemption. As the Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Chesterton reminds us that Jesus’ Truth is not always easy, but it is always liberating. In Christ, we discover who we truly are: beloved children of a Father who knows every hair on our heads.
And finally, Jesus is the Life. He doesn’t just show us how to live; He gives us His very life. Through His death and resurrection, He opens the gates of Heaven and pours out the Holy Spirit upon us. When we remain in Him— especially through prayer and the sacraments; we share in the divine life of God Himself. We don’t just follow a set of rules; we live in a relationship with the living God, who strengthens us, comforts us, and sends us out to do His will on earth.
Following Jesus Daily: Prayer and the Sacraments as Our Strength and Guide
So how do we walk this Way, embrace this Truth, and receive this Life? The answer is both simple and profound: through prayer and the sacraments. Prayer is our daily conversation with God, where we lay down our fears and listen for His guidance. The sacraments—especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation—are the ordinary ways Jesus gives us His grace, heals our wounds, and draws us ever closer to the Father. In prayer, we quiet the competing voices and listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. In the sacraments, we receive the strength we need to follow Him, no matter where He leads.
Like Jose, we will all face moments when the world tells us to chase after gold and treasure, to seek security in things that pass away. Yet, Jesus invites us to trust instead in our Father’s love and care. “Do not be afraid,” He says. Your Father knows you, loves you, and holds you in the palm of His hand. If you acknowledge Jesus before others—by living your faith boldly, by loving your neighbor, by refusing to compromise the Truth—He will acknowledge you before the Father. Even when you stumble, even when you’re unsure, keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Trust that He is leading you home.
As we go forth this week, let’s remember: We are children of a loving Father, guided by Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, that we may do God’s will each day in His Kingdom. May our lives proclaim the Good News from the housetops, never in fear, but always in love.
Let us give thanks and praise and glory to our LORD God, for sending His love to us in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. May His peace guard our hearts and lead us ever closer to the Father in Heaven.
Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
