We all know what the word “opportunity” means; it is an occasion to profit in some way, either spiritually, physically, financially, intellectually etc.

But only the wise consider carefully the concept of “opportunity cost.” I originally learned the term when I was studying economics. It’s defined as the cost that we incur by not pursuing an opportunity. In business we even size up this opportunity cost with a business case that calculates revenues/profits lost if we do not pursue a new venture. The concept of “opportunity cost” however, does not just apply to business it applies equally to our spiritual life as well.

Jesus gives us all talents and resources to use to serve Him. Those resources include time, money, people contacts etc. Every day we have opportunities to use our talents and resources to serve God and prove to Him that we love Him.

St. Paul warns us “Be careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Years ago I used to read books on the bus going home from work. Then it occurred to me that I could be praying for the people that I saw on the bus. So I would watch the crowd and randomly pick people to pray for. What would the “opportunity cost” be of not praying for those people? I don’t know how to calculate that loss, but if we have faith then we must believe that our prayers make a difference.

What is the opportunity cost of not going to Church? Jesus is waiting for us there to teach us through the Holy Scriptures. Jesus is also waiting for us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Jesus said to His apostles: “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” John 6:53

What is the opportunity cost of not reading the Bible? There was a time when the translation of the Bible into English was not available to us. Now that it is available it represents an opportunity to hear God’s voice speaking to us.   In the Scriptures Jesus reveals His identity to us “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

What is the opportunity cost of not volunteering your time to causes that interest you? I have personally found that the most rewarding opportunities in my life came to me via the volunteer sector.

What is the opportunity cost of not donating our money to charitable causes? There are so many worthwhile causes that cannot go forward without financial contributions. Sometimes giving up one cup of coffee a day can be enough to help a child go to school in a developing country.

What is the opportunity cost of not meditating on the Passion of Christ? You will never know how much Jesus loves you until you walk with Him to the place of His crucifixion. You will never know the price of our sins until you see Him mocked, beaten and disfigured. “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness” Isaiah 52:14 Jesus, Our Holy Lord, is forced to carry His own Cross up the hill to Calvary where He is brutally nailed to the Cross which becomes for us a sign of salvation.

Friends I am standing for an opportunity to give Jesus great glory and God is calling you today to embrace this opportunity. In 1937, Our Lord Jesus appeared through a series of visions to a polish nun by the name of Faustina Kowalska now referred to as St. Faustina. Jesus asked that He be remembered at the time He died for us. Jesus said, “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion…immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant.”  Diary of St. Faustina 1320, 157

This opportunity to unite in prayer and remember the Passion of Our Lord Jesus is an opportunity for true Christian unity. Now maybe you don’t believe that Jesus appeared to St. Faustina. Ok, fine. You don’t need to believe that Jesus made this request, but I urge you to consider the opportunity of Christians all over the world, of all Christian denominations, united in prayer, contemplating the Passion of Christ at the solemn time He died for us, 3pm. Together we can change the world by calling upon the intervention of Our Saviour Jesus Christ. You only need to believe that Jesus died for you, to believe in the holiness of a Christian world united in prayer in solemn remembrance of the love of God at the time Jesus died for us.

Each of us in our respective local time zones, can stop at 3pm remembering how much Our Holy Lord suffered to save us.   What is the value to Jesus of seeing His followers all over the world united in awe, in reverence, in thanksgiving, in love, standing at the foot of His Cross remembering the greatest love the world has ever known and will ever know—the love of Our Saviour Jesus Christ. What is the opportunity cost of not doing this? You may never know the great price of not participating in this simple, powerful act of faith!

It has been over nine years now that I have been stopping at 3pm to remember Our Holy Lord dying for our salvation. Friends of Jesus doing this has changed my life! I have fallen so deeply in love with Our Lord and Saviour by remembering how much He suffered to save all of us. Please join in and believe in the power of prayer! Encourage your friends and family to join in. Share this!

Jesus loves you so much! Over 2,000 years ago Jesus died in agony on the Cross while the crowds mocked and insulted Him. Today His disciples will stand at the foot of the Cross each day at the time Jesus died for us, 3pm telling Jesus “WE LOVE YOU LORD! PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON US JESUS! SAVE ALL SOULS!”