Life Does Not Consist of Possessions

Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

But it was not for [Abraham] alone that it was written that it was credited to him; it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. Romans 4:23-25

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions." Luke 12:13:15

Piety

Lord, take me where You want me to go; Let me meet who You want me to meet; Tell me what You want me to say, and keep me out of Your way. (Father Mychal F. Judge, OFM)

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/prayers/catholic/guidance/father-mychals-prayer.aspx#tdMPZqPQZQFZYolA.99

Study

What is meant by “righteousness” in our first reading? Abraham is credited with righteousness because he put his faith in the Lord.  Despite being told at a very old age that they would have children, Abraham and Sarah put their faith in God for this miracle to happen.  Regular biology would not work on its own without transcendent faith. That is the challenge with the metaphor in the Gospel.  Do we put our faith in the same place as Abraham?

The Good News is pretty challenging for modern society.  Today we are brought face-to-face with the contrasting test: Who wins between those whose focus and trust in life are on material possessions (symbolized today by the rich fool) compared with those who recognize their complete dependence on God?  Jesus prods us toward radical detachment from material possessions so that we can fully be “rich in God” and what matters to God. 

Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Luke 12:33–34).

Action

Sunday’s Gospel was the challenge of what do we give to Caesar and what do we give to God.  Caesar is out of the picture today.  Now, we focus on how to be rich in God.

Maybe you are like me…not quite ready for radical detachment from material possessions, voluntary poverty or living below the tax threshold.  However, we can gradually wean ourselves from bookshelves overflowing with volumes never to be re-read and music that never gets replayed except in digital formats.

Maybe we cannot go “cold turkey” and run away to join a monastery, Catholic Worker community or the Bruderhof.  However, what can we “do without” this week so that we can begin converting our earthly treasures into something more permanent?

• Maybe some of those dust-collecting books, CDs and DVDs can go to a library or school located in the inner city.  I am sure that Sacred Heart School in Camden, NJ or others like it would be very grateful for your support.
• Maybe some clothes can go to a local thrift shop run by Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army or Catholic Charities.
• Maybe some furniture can go to a family in need through a charity like A Wider Circle. 

As one brilliant advertising writer put it, “You’ll never miss what they will never forget.”