Riches and Wealth

Today’s Gospel Text:  And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many that are first will be last, and the last first. Matt 19:23-30

Reflection: “Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures forever.” Ps 112:3

These are the blessings the Psalmist proclaims on those who fear the Lord and walks in the wisdom of his commandments. 

Like most of those modern day prosperity gospel preachers most of the Jews always believed that it was a blessing to be rich and a curse to be poor.

No wonder the dedicated disciples found the statement of Jesus shocking and difficult to accept; for they had grown up with a mindset that talked about riches and prosperity for the righteous.

Could they be following Christ Jesus because they saw him as a future investment worth more than gold? By his walk and demeanor, Christ Jesus, was assuredly a pathway to prosperity.  They would have to endure his poverty but for a little while only.

"Who then can be saved?" (vs. 25b) was a statement made by these dedicated disciples, with great astonishment.

It seems that Jesus was really against riches and wealth and against the rich and the wealthy?

We could have riches and wealth and can get so enamored by it that we could end up worshipping them.

We could miss out on the purpose and plan that God has for each one of us; a plan for our happiness and eternity.

But with riches we can create our own world of happiness, apart from God; No wonder money can make people happy but God can do it better; he can make us happy even in the face of want and poverty.

How can any human being be so enamored by the gifts that they forget the giver of all gifts?

Yet this is the greatest reality with humans, they keep gathering up the gifts and likewise treat their children too in the same way.

Prayer: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. Ps 16:5

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Father Knows

Today’s Gospel Text:  "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread;

12 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors;

13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:7-15

Reflection: "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (vs. 8)

Whose Father knows what we need before we ask him?

These words of Jesus are addressed specifically to the dedicated disciples; which means, that, to them God is their Father who have accepted the message of Jesus and dared to address him as Father.

In the process, Jesus is also communicating another truth to his dedicated disciples; the Father is concerned about our needs and if our needs are not met in any way then it is no need.

We either believe in this truth or allow ourselves to be deceived by our wants and make these wants our need.

Our wants can never be our need and yet we can always deceive ourselves and as humans we are capable of deceiving ourselves, of making our wants our needs.

For example; how difficult it is with regards to the most essential need such as food to know which of it is need and which is want or how much is need and how much is want and when it is a need and when it is a want.

Nor is it true that God does not supply our wants, but to a dedicated disciple he trains them by not supplying their wants so that they may not be deceived into believing that their wants are their needs.

In the process he also trains the dedicated disciple in trusting God to be the giver and provider.

Thus the Psalmist will acclaim: “The Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. (Ps 111:4b -5)

It also affirms that if God can take care of the needs of the dedicated disciple then it is also true that he can take care of everything and is with them in all things.  

St. Catherine of Sienna once said: "To the servant of God every place is the right place, and every time is the right time." (Letter)

Prayer:  Lord, I believe that you are able to provide us with every blessing in abundance that we may have enough of everything and provision in abundance for every good work. (cfr. 2 Cor 9:8)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us