A long-term outlook that keeps you on the path of commitment is the surest way for the faithful to remain on the path leading to eternal life, Rev. Robert F. Tywoniak said in his homily in the June 28 Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church of Oakland Park bulletin.

The homily examines the first reading, 2 Kings 4: 8-11,14-16a, which follows stories of people who do not always remain faithful to God. The unfaithful suffer because of their defections, and the faithful prosper.

We learn that short-term gains offer only momentary rewards, Tywoniak said. In the reading, a woman shows hospitality to Elisha, recognizing him as a man of God. Elisha sees she is without child and assures her a son is in her future.

“In essence, the woman has offered God hospitality,” Tywoniak said in his homily. “Hospitality is the making of space for another. She made space for the presence of God in her life. God enjoys when space is made for Him. God is moved to fulfill the woman’s needs and will do so for anyone who offers Him space.”

The passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans is about natural logical consequences. The previous verse states, “How can we who died to sin yet live in it?” Tywoniak wrote. “How can someone go backward after coming into the fullest of life in Christ? And why would anyone want to go back to sinful ways and miss the reward of Salvation?”

But we do return to sin, perhaps gaining some brief pleasure. That quickly fades away. The long-term journey required to follow Jesus may seem boring, but a lifetime of commitment is required.

“One cannot say yes at one moment and then no at another,” Tywoniak said. “The gospel passage is clear. Choosing a short-term gain, something merely earthly, is eventually lost. Earthly life is not forever. However, the loss of earthly life for Jesus’ sake will be rewarded with everlasting life in the kingdom.”

Receiving a disciple of Jesus is the same as receiving Jesus, Tywoniak said. And if you receive Jesus you receive the one who sent him, which is God the Father. It takes time to develop, but we should all seek this longer road in life.

“Yes, a little reward along the way of life is nice from time to time. But, always stay on the path of commitment to the path leading to eternal life,” Tywoniak concluded.