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

Te Deum - And Return

 

Return to what? The ancient Faith of the West, the faith of Bohemund at the gate, of all that's right and true. Stand fast by that and think, what else do you have? No luggage racks on the back of a hearse, my friends, ask Epstein.

Saying,

LSP

Monday Admonishment

 

Who do you love? Your truck, your money, the British Army, what's left of it, the ritual of the Mass itself?, the idea of Rhodesia and the Selous Scouts? How very awesome, until it isn't.

I tell you, readers, there's no luggage rack on the back of a hearse; so store up treasure in heaven, strive for eternal value. Which reminds me of all these young brokers in London, back in the day, "Value!" they'd shout, while hoisting yet another champagne bottle before they got busted for *dealing.

Gross, eh, picture the scene, all kinds of hi-spirits. That in mind, crazy rain here and we thank God for this. Providence, kids, is both loving and implacable.

Your Old Pal,

LSP

Uncle LSP's Country Sale Barn - #1

 

Whoever said life'd be easy? Do you remember anyone telling you this? If so, they lied. That in mind, the last few months have been all about putting VCC's (Veteran Crew Chief) estate in order. No small thing, and part of the process is getting the big metal barn ready for a country sale.

No. Easy. Task. Why? Because of the sheer magnitude of it all, so much stuff, and that's with the vehicles gone. I know, there's a moral here but I'll leave you to draw it. In the meanwhile, we pulled everything and laid it all out. Now it's ready to go.

As is the trash, and there's a lot, no kidding. To help with that I ordered a 20 yard dumpster only to find out today that the falsely named "Republic" wanted a $1000 for the privilege. What utter thieves. A morning of phoning around later and the same thing was secured for a third of the price. 

Yet another moral. Do not submit to monopoly/cartel, asset-stripping price gouging, go local instead. Remember the slogan, solidarity and subsidiarity? That in mind, let's see how Farmers' Local #100 snaps up these deals, cash is king, obviously.

Cheers,

LSP