Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
When I look at people who are very rich – Bill Gates or Warren Buffet for instance – I feel myself wondering what it would be like to have that kind of wealth. How would it affect the way I see myself in relation to others? It is perhaps not surprising that many extremely wealthy people are drawn to philanthropy – spending their money to help others – for it seems to me that it would be unnatural to have so much money and to keep it only for oneself. Then I think of those of us – myself included – who may have enough money to live a comfortable life, but in comparison to many others finding oneself to be very blessed indeed. What does Jesus have to say to us in the gospel for today?
In the gospel reading, Jesus tells us that it is very difficult for those who are rich to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ disciples are astonished by this teaching, and they ask him to explain what he means. How are we to understand Jesus’ teachings for our lives today? Is Jesus saying that it is bad to have money? Even though it is not bad in itself, wealth can often be an obstacle to our growing in faith. There are at least two reasons for this. First, wealth can be a source of worries and concern. If you have money, then you want to hold on to it, and you take a lot of interest in how it is spent. In this way it ties you to the world. I am reminded here of what Jesus says in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), where the weeds of love of riches choke the growth of the word in the hearts of those who hear the gospel. Second, it can give someone a false sense of security. You can become so confident in yourself and your own ability to do things that you forget about God. In a word, wealth can be a source of pride.
The opposite of wealth is thus not the lack of money, but the poverty of spirit which is Christian humility. Notice that in today’s gospel Jesus goes on to tell his disciples that it is God who saves. We cannot save ourselves. This is perhaps the deepest messages of today’s reading. Nothing apart from God – neither wealth, nor intelligence, nor cunning, nor good looks, nor worldly success can save us. As Jesus says, ‘many who are first will be last.’ Only God can save us.
In a way Jesus is telling his disciples not to let anything stand in the way of their relationship with God. All of their efforts will be rewarded, but the more they put into it the more they will get out of it. Those who sacrifice for the Kingdom will be greatly rewarded, because friendship with God is its own reward.
As we reflect on the scriptures for today let us think about the ways that we can give more of our lives over to God. Is God leading us to live simpler lives that involve more self-sacrifice? Are there practices that we can engage in that help us to trust God more and to love our neighbor more than we do now. Are there ways in which we can live more for God and our neighbor and less for ourselves? Let us pray that we may learn to live in the recognition of Jesus’ message that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
- Joel Schickel