Gospel: Matthew 19: 23-30
Today's Gospel portion is a difficult one for those who glorify wealth and those who are rich. It is rare that a person acquires great wealth honestly and without great cost to others. The mere hoarding of wealth is in itself an evil that does great harm to many. Jesus made it clear that riches acquired honestly must be shared with others (parable of the wealthy farmer) and riches acquired dishonestly must be returned to the poor from whom it was taken (Zacchaeus).
That modern Christianity exalts those who are rich and pursues wealth at all costs reflects the fact that in so many ways it is at best a mere caricature of the Gospel of Jesus, and at worst a demon dressed in sheep's clothing. Jesus himself lived a life of simplicity and poverty, and in sending out his disciples on mission instructed them to do likewise. Ministry to the sick, hungry, and possessed can only be done on our feet, moving from place to place. It cannot be done from regal episcopal palaces.
Today is a day for us to recommit to a life of simplicity so that we might be able and ready to serve as Jesus did - to go about healing people of their illnesses, liberating them from the demons that oppress them, and feeding them at table wherever we find them. The ministry of Jesus is about care for the poor, marginalized, possessed, and hungry. It is not about selling timeshares in a church pew.
No comments:
Post a Comment