2026-08-18 - It is not just about how you start, but how you end. Author: Fr. Camillus Nwaigwe
18th of August 2026
Tuesday in the Twentieth week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Ezek 28:1-10
Mt 19:23-30
Jesus ends the Gospel of today with a statement that challenges the way the world measures success, "Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first." This reminds us that our beginning does not determine our final destination; what matters is how we finish the journey.
Some people begin very well but fail to persevere. Others may begin poorly, struggle through life, or experience setbacks, but later turn their lives around and finish faithfully. Therefore, we must never become too confident because of a good beginning, nor lose hope because of a difficult beginning.
The *First Reading* gives us a good warning. The prince of Tyre had wealth, wisdom and success. He seemed to be "first." But his success produced pride, "Your heart has become proud because of your wealth." His beginning may have been impressive, but his ending became tragic because he allowed success to separate him from God.
Beloved friends, do you know that in the journey of life, while a good begining is good, it is not enough? Someone may begin marriage well, begin priesthood well, begin a career well, or begin the Christian life enthusiastically but crash out along the way. What really matters is perseverance. Perseverance is more important than applause. It is better to finish quietly and faithfully than to begin spectacularly and end in failure.
Secondly, do not write yourself off because of a bad beginning. Your past mistakes do not have to determine your future. With God's grace, a person can change, repent and finish well.
Also, do not become proud because of your success today. Do not become proud because you are doing well today. A good beginning or present success does not guarantee a good ending. What matters is persevering in humility, prayer and faithfulness until the end. Therefore, never allow today's success to make you careless about tomorrow's journey.
Remember, God gives opportunities for a new beginning. The person who is "last" today can become "first" tomorrow through repentance, humility and faithfulness.
Friends, life is not a race in which the person who starts ahead automatically wins. It is a journey that must be completed.
You may have started with nothing and end with much. You may have started poorly and end beautifully. You may even have started very well but, through pride and carelessness, lose your way. Therefore, don't ask only, "How am I doing now?" Ask also, "Where am I heading, and how will I finish?" It is not enough to start with God; we must finish with God.
God bless you
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