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| October 14, 2012 |
Again today, we have
a story in the Gospel that is just as difficult as the teaching last week. In
fact, this is one of the examples I used in my homily last week of scripture
passages that sometimes make us cringe as we become aware that we have fallen
short of the mark! Let us continue, as we said last week, striving for that
mark that Jesus sets before us!
What gives hope and
satisfaction to our desire for happiness and security? A young man who had the
best the world could offer – wealth and security – came to Jesus because he
lacked one thing. He wanted the kind of lasting peace and happiness which money
could not buy him. The answer he got, however, was not what he was looking for.
He protested that he kept all the commandments; but Jesus spoke to the trouble
in his heart. One thing kept him from giving himself whole-heartedly to God.
While he lacked nothing in material goods, he was nonetheless possessive of
what he had. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed. So when
Jesus challenged him to make God his one true possession and treasure, he
became dismayed. Why did he go away from Jesus with sadness rather than with
joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Jesus challenged
the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others
for fear that he would lose what he had gained. He sought happiness and
security in what he possessed rather than in who he could love and serve and
give himself in undivided devotion.
Why does Jesus call
his disciples to "sell all" for the treasure of his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to
the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The
thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the
greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as
our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. Selling all that we have
could mean many different things – letting go of attachments, friendships,
influences, jobs, entertainments, styles of life – really anything that might
stand in the way of our loving God first and foremost in our lives and giving
him the best we can with our time, resources, gifts, and service.
God offers us treasure
which money cannot buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and
desires of our heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you
from seeking true joy with Jesus?
Why does Jesus issue
such a strong warning to the rich (as well as to the rest of us who desire to
be rich)? Was he really against wealth? We know that Jesus was not opposed to
wealth per se, nor was he opposed to the wealthy. He had many friends who were
well-to-do, including some notorious tax collectors! One even became an
apostle! Jesus' warning reiterated the teaching of the Old Testament
wisdom: Better is a poor man who walks
in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways (Proverbs
28:6; see also Psalm 37:16). Do not
wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist (Proverbs 23:4).
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as
citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in
Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally
or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls
which was used by travellers when the larger public gate was locked after dark.
A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel
would literally have to knell and crawl through it. Why is Jesus so cautious
about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely independent. The scriptures give us a
paradox: we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be
amply repaid, both in this life and in eternity (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38).
Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief
can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material
wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our
treasure on God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is our treasure? The question we all need to ask ourselves.
I hope you enjoy the
week ahead. Please remember that Oktoberfest in on October 27th in
the hall with great food, music and lots of camaraderie. Also,
we welcome Fr. Noel back from vacation!
Fr. Phil
