The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092217.cfm)
reminds me that the love of money is so bad and devastating, that they
say it is the root of all evil.
A lot of people are caught up
in the world. We see people stealing money from other people through the taxes
and anomalies in the government and in different agencies. We see people
killing each other because of competition in illegal businesses. We see people
abusing the poor and doing everything to get in power, and to remain in power.
They do whatever they can to accumulate power and wealth in this world. This is
sad, especially if it is done at the expense of their souls.
I was struck by the first
reading – that we brought nothing into this
world, and we will take nothing from this world. It makes a lot of sense, and it puts things in
perspective.
We can
take nothing from this world. all our fame, power, influence and money will
only be good in this world, and while we are still alive – which is only a very
short time compared to eternity. The first reading says that the
love of money is the root of all evil. Money – and power, fame and influence. Money in itself is not bad.
Jesus had many rich friends as well. So it is not bad to be rich. But we should
now how to handle money. We should know how to use it to build God's kingdom. What's bad is if we do evil things
for these things, just to get our hands on more money, on greater influence, on
absolute power. They forget their values. They forget other people. They forget
God. These things can become God in their lives, and they get so corrupted in
the system.
God provides.
I believe that God always takes care of his people. We may not have a lot, we may
not have so much, but I believe that we
always have what we need to survive and to serve God. We always have the essentials
in life. It is the extras in life, the things in life that we do not really
need, but want to badly, that causes unhappiness, that causes us to sin.
In the gospel, we see how we
should use money to build God's kingdom. We see that there are people who
supported Jesus with their resources. They may not be able to be with Jesus as
they proclaim God’s kingdom, but they helped through their resources. This is
how God wants us to use his blessings. Our resources should bless not just us
and our families, but others as well – others who cannot repay what we give
them.
May we be more aware of
material things, their validity, and their proper use.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry
for the times I forget these things. Sorry for the times I work so hard and
compromise my health, my values, and my relationship with others and with you
just so I can get ahead and have material things. Sorry for wanting a lot of
things, and for working for things I do not really need. Sorry for choosing to
love myself first, to buy things for myself, rather than using my resources for
your kingdom. Help me improve myself. Help me improve my heart. Help me love
you through others. help me give generously of my resources to others in need.
I know that you bless me so I can be a blessing to others. and I want that to
happen. Amen.
Blessed
Friday!
In
Christ,
-g-
Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 447
Reading 11 TM 6:2C-12
Teach and urge these things.
Whoever teaches something different
and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the religious teaching
is conceited, understanding nothing,
and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.
From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,
and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,
who are deprived of the truth,
supposing religion to be a means of gain.
Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world,
just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.
If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.
Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires,
which plunge them into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is the root of all evils,
and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith
and have pierced themselves with many pains.
But you, man of God, avoid all this.
Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,
faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
Compete well for the faith.
Lay hold of eternal life,
to which you were called when you made the noble confession
in the presence of many witnesses.
Responsorial PsalmPS 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
They trust in their wealth;
the abundance of their riches is their boast.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,
or pay his own ransom to God;
Too high is the price to redeem one's life; he would never have enough
to remain alive always and not see destruction.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
"They will praise you for doing well for yourself,"
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
AlleluiaSEE MT 11:25
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 8:1-3
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.
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