@evangelinediaries
In a world obsessed with acquiring wealth and prosperity, today’s Gospel cautions us to stop and take stock of our lifestyle. Perhaps we might develop an entirely new perspective.

Gospel – Luke 6:20-26 (Please refer to your Bible)

Reflection – Rich or poor?
We come across stories and instances in the Gospel where being rich and possessing material wealth is not looked upon favorably. For example, we have the parable of the rich fool, we have the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we have the rich young man who came up to Jesus and later went away disappointed. And then, today’s Gospel pronounces woes upon the ones who are rich and comfortable. Does this mean being rich and affluent is a crime or a sin? No, it is not. What then seems to be the problem?

The problem is not in being rich, but the means we use to get rich and also how we use the resources we are blessed with. In the 3 Gospel stories we mentioned above, the common aspect was that each of them succeeded in acquiring material wealth for themselves, but failed in utilizing these resources wisely.

So let’s pause to reflect and ask ourselves: Do we chase fame and fortune using shortcuts and compromise on our values? Do we indulge in unnecessary wastage of resources to show off and create an impression on people? Do we feel proud and self-sufficient and depend on our wealth making it our safety net? Are we satisfied with what we have or has our need turned to greed? Do we use our resources to reach out to others? Do we help others but do so only for the sake of gaining publicity? Do we take the time to thank the Provider for His generosity or do we fail to acknowledge Him in our unending quest to prosperity?

God did not create people and label them as rich or poor. In His infinite wisdom God formed the world providing sufficient resources for each and every one, and He made us custodians of His wonderful creation. However, caretakers soon began considering themselves as owners and need turned to greed leading to severe disparity in the distribution of resources and creating categories of rich and poor.

If we are able to but are unwilling to lend a helping hand to people who are in need, then we are not fulfilling the basic command of God to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We are blessed so that we can bless others. The more we cling to our material possessions, the further away we move from God. Material wealth ends when life ends, but spiritual wealth is a treasure we take with ourselves.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Another rich man in the Gospel, Zacchaeus, realized this truth when He met Jesus and it totally changed his perspective. Similarly, if we come to our senses and remember our role of being not owners but custodians of His resources and display compassion and generosity, the gap between the rich and the poor will certainly cease to exist.

No wonder Jesus highlighted the rich heart of the poor widow who offered her mite in the temple treasury. She serves as a powerful example of not clinging to our provisions, but trusting our divine Provider. Indeed, if we only have Jesus, we have everything.

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we thank you for the generosity and abundance with which you have blessed us. Forgive us for the times we have been proud or selfish and thought only of ourselves. Help us to recall how much you love us and extend that same kindness towards others becoming instruments of your compassion. Bless us with the joy of being rich in you knowing that only this wealth will last forever. We ask this in the mighty, holy and precious name of Jesus – Amen!
God bless you!

(Scripture References: Deuteronomy 15:7-9, Proverbs 15:17, 23:4-5, 28:20-22, Ecclesiastes 5:10-13, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21, 24, Mark 10:17-31, 12:41-44, Luke 3:11, 12:13-21,33,16:19-31, 19:1-10, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:8-12)

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Audio Credit: Ms. Anita Lewis