Grow Rich

September 1, 2007

Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

“…we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands.” 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11

“…[F]or to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside.” Matthew 25:29-30

Piety

Let us pray: God, source of our hope and giver of our gifts, help us to live in humility so that your gifts may grow in us as we cultivate the life that you want us to lead. Guide us to use the talents that you have bestowed upon us to help make your Kingdom come in this world with Advent expectations. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/090107.shtml

After all the recent swings in the stock market, let’s turn to the Bible’s answer to The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need (apologies to Andrew Tobias). Today, we learn the secret to getting rich!

The Lord comes to rule with justice. But He has now ascended back into union with His Father. So, in His absence, until He comes again, who will rule with justice for him?

What is justice? Our reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians provides a guide with its rule book for life that ends with our group reunion in the Kingdom with Jesus.

However, for that to occur, Jesus issues another in a series of wake-up calls passed on through Matthews’ Gospel reading today. All week long, it seems like an impatient Savior has been scolding his disciples. Now this reading today…can this really be the kind of Savior who inspires us to become a “good and faithful servant?”

Jesus is boiling with emotion. He gives us these examples so that we will not be “without hope” like those in Thessalonica. We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13).

What message shines through the dark clouds of many people cramming to get through the narrow gate, blind fools and hypocrites, virgins without enough oil and servants burying their talents?

Indeed, Jesus gives us these images in his warning because he wants us to get up off our duffs. “Do something!” “Love somebody!” This is the path to living a life rich in God’s love, “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich.”

Action

What Labor of Love will you do on Labor Day Weekend to grow rich?

Jesus does not want superficial friends. He doesn’t want friends who hide in the background. Can you be a follower who commits to the precepts of faith, hope and charity? Can you be a follower who emulates the virtues of justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude? Can you be a follower who loves as Jesus requires?

How will you multiply your talents on this final holiday weekend before the end of summer? Will you do something to take care of yourself? Will you do something to reach out to others? Will you do something to promote stewardship of the earth?