Maymay sa Magbalantay

“Today we are listening to the last words of a great king.

David is about to die. And when a person knows his time is near, he no longer speaks about small things. He speaks about what truly matters.

David does not talk about battles he won. He does not talk about enemies he defeated. He does not talk about how large his kingdom became.

Instead, he tells his son Solomon: “Be strong. Walk in the ways of the Lord. Keep His statutes and commands.”

In other words, David is saying: “If you want your life to succeed, if you want your leadership to last, if you want peace in your kingdom — stay close to God.”

This is very beautiful. Because David had everything a man could want: power, fame, success. But at the end of his life, he realized that the most important inheritance he could give his son was not wealth, not territory, not influence — but faithfulness to God.

And this is a powerful message for us today.

Many parents worry about what they can leave to their children: a house, savings, education, security. But the greatest inheritance we can pass on is this: a life that walks in the ways of the Lord.

Because money can be lost. Properties can be destroyed. Careers can change. But a heart that knows how to follow God — that is a treasure for life.

David also says something very realistic: “Be strong.” Why?

Because walking in God’s ways is not always easy.

It is easy to follow the crowd.

It is easy to compromise.

It is easy to choose convenience over conscience.

But it takes strength to remain faithful. It takes courage to choose what is right. It takes discipline to obey God when nobody is watching.

That is why David says: be strong.

Brothers and sisters, this reading invites us to ask: What are we passing on to the next generation? What will our children remember about us? What will people say about us when our time is finished?

Will they say: “He was successful”? “She was influential”?

Or will they say: “He walked with God.” “She was faithful to the Lord.”

Because at the end of our life, that is what will matter most.”