In the news last week a social media company was accused of putting profit before
wellbeing of people, especially the negative impact of some of its programs on teenage
girls and young women. Greed for profits associated with excessive consumption and
poor management of earth’s resources deepen the crisis and damage inter-personal
relationships. The answer to many ills of society, given even by non-religious people, is
simplicity of life. In the gospel Jesus addresses the root cause of some of these
problems, how wealth is power and it can be addictive and intoxicating. The man in the
gospel was attracted by Jesus and his way but not free to let go his wealth, the reason
for his sadness. He obeyed all commandments and asked Jesus about inheriting
eternal life, kingdom of God. Jesus invites him to a radical discipleship and for that he
had to sell all his property and share with the poor. Jesus called him to a contemplative
way of seeing things or seeing through the beatitudes [Blessed are the poor in spirit,
theirs is the kingdom of God] that shapes you into a caring person, a steward of gifts
given. That means not to let what you possess define your relationships but the
kingdom of God.
We know that the power of money controls social, political and religious discourses in
the world. Affluence is one of the reasons people abandon faith, walk away from God,
church. In the bible wealth is considered a blessing, a gift but often wealth is turned
into a golden calf to worship. Gifts are to be handled with respect, care and with the
mind of the gift giver who is God. In the first reading wisdom is a gift to know the mind
of God, to center life on God. Nothing in the world is more precious than gift of wisdom
and understanding that make you compassionate like God. These gifts are given to us
in our confirmation to live the kingdom of God and not to be slaves of money or what
we possess. Life is impossible without compassion; compassion restrains people from
destroying each other; wars and constant conflicts are kept alive with the power of
money that diminishes life. It is as in the story of Midas, everything he touched became
gold and he died of it!
If the burden of wealth controls life, the kingdom of God is far from us. Paul said the
kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but justice, peace and joy that
you experience when you let love flourish in your life. The man in the gospel realized
that he cannot buy happiness with his wealth and went away sad! It is said that great
stories of life happen when you don’t give into fear. The young man’s fear of losing
what he has turned him into a sad story! Not all are called to this radical discipleship;
Francis Assisi and Mother Teresa were able to accept this challenge of Christ. They
lived to love, care and that made them great, richer than one who sits on millions; it is
not wealth that makes one rich but how one uses it! Many wealthy people do
humanitarian work; church missionaries, charities try to live today’s gospel working
among the poor, establishing schools, hospitals to help the marginalized. Jesus
explains that his way is of self-emptying; his call to grow a different kind of wealth is of
fellowship, communion. Paul said love and knowledge of Christ surpass all other
riches. Son of God did not cling to his glory as God but gave it up and became one like
us to have communion with us. Letter to the Hebrews says, word of God is like two
edged sword; it cuts through our perceptions, biases, confusions, folly and enlightens
us to conform our life to Christ and we become builders of the kingdom of God.