Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - Tuesday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Judg 6:11-24a and Matt 19:23-30]And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013 ST. BERNARD, ABBOT
The rich young man in Monday's gospel was not the only one who was amazed by Jesus' reply to him. After he went away, Jesus reflects on how material wealth is an obstacle to the kingdom of heaven. For most people at that time [and now], material wealth was to be considered a great blessing! Jesus turns this idea upside down! So, Peter asks the question that was probably on all their minds about discipleship: "What's in it for us? We've given up everything for you!" Jesus' reply is that they will receive a "hundred-fold" more and eternal life [and for the Twelve, a special role at the end of time].
In a culture like our own, Jesus' teaching is definitely challenging. Conspicuous consumption is the prevailing ethos! Jesus says less is better. Our "economy" makes it almost a duty to acquire and to buy! We see daily testimony to this as we walk into our garages and see what has made its way there, probably never to be used again. One wonders if one is faced with the choice between "the economy" and "the Kingdom!" It's a sobering thought and an uncomfortable one, but Jesus' teaching has a way of challenging us to do that kind of thinking and then to do something about it! AMEN