Sunday, August 3, 2025

Sunday Wisdom

 



Jesus admonishes the multitude, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Covetousness, the inordinate desire and passion for worldly goods, which St. Paul describes as idolatry. So it is, an idolatry of material things at the expense of the true God.

Here's Benedict XVI, preaching on Palm Sunday some years ago:


A person can be materially poor yet his heart can be full of greed for wealth and for the power that derives from it. The very fact that he lives with envy and covetousness shows that, in his heart, he is one of the rich. He wants to reverse the division of goods so that he himself can take over the situation that was previously theirs.

The poverty that Jesus means - that the prophets mean - presupposes above all inner freedom from the greed for possession and the mania for power. This is a greater reality than merely a different distribution of possessions, which would still be in the material domain and thereby make hearts even harder. It is first and foremost a matter of purification of heart, through which one recognizes possession as responsibility, as a duty towards others, placing oneself under God’s gaze and letting oneself be guided by Christ, who from being rich became poor for our sake (see II Cor 8: 9).

Inner freedom is the prerequisite for overcoming the corruption and greed that devastate the world today. This freedom can only be found if God becomes our richness; it can only be found in the patience of daily sacrifices, in which, as it were, true freedom develops. It is the King who points out to us the way to this goal:  Jesus, whom we acclaim on Palm Sunday, whom we ask to take us with him on his way.

 

I can't add to that, but will point out: We must be rich towards God and this heavenly treasure is Christ Himself. Therein lies true, unending, eternal value. And remember, while you're at it, there's no luggage rack on the back of a hearse.

What shall it profit a man?

Your Friend,

LSP

8 comments:

Old NFO said...

As you said, you cannot take it with you! Other than your faith, you have nothing...

drjim said...

Thank you, Parson..

LSP said...

NFO, people seem to think they're like Pharoes and can take it all with them. Worse, they think this world is all there is, so eat, drink and be merry. "Fool! This day thy soul is required of thee."

Word to the wise.

LSP said...

drjim, let's be "rich towards God." And what's the wealth in question? Christ himself. Serious business.

Anonymous said...

Voluntary simplicity?

LL said...

Bishop Cherry Vann has been elected as archbishop of the Church in Wales, becoming the first woman and LGBT cleric appointed to lead any of Britain’s Anglican churches.

LSP said...

Exactly, Anon.

LSP said...

LL, the Anglican Church of Wales is now an apostate clown show, and I'm being polite.