Posted by The WORD in Other Words by Fr Rodrigo Salac SVD (Philippines) Monday Week 29 Ordinary Time, Rom 4:20-25, Lk 12:13-21
The human drive to become rich is very strong. People who were poor before became billionaires today because they worked very hard, driven by the desire to get rich and have a better life. The ways and means employed by people to acquire vast wealth vary: some ways are honest (legal); others are dishonest (illegal).
In today‘s gospel, a man sought Jesus‘ intervention for him to get a share of the inheritance held by his brother. His prayer was denied but Jesus used the occasion to teach a lesson — BE RICH IN THE EYES OF GOD. Use this world‘s wealth according to the intention of its maker, thus:
Yes to generosity. No to greed.
Yes to ours. No to mine alone:
Yes to releasing. No to hoarding.
Yes to equity. No to equality.
Yes to equal opportunities. No to the selection of the privileged few.
The beatitudes say: “Blessed are the poor…” This pronouncement does not condemn the rich. It favors the poor who are dependent on God. It is a call to fully trust in God not in riches. A rich person has wealth to lean on in times of need. Trust in God for him may not be a matter of life and death.
The gospel today teaches that true riches are those that come from God. To emphasize this teaching, Jesus says: “In order to be perfect go sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven” (Mt 19:21).
Let us respond to the challenge of Jesus… BE RICH IN THE EYES OF GOD
