Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
The story is told of Saint Anthony of Padua that he was invited to preach at a wealthy man’s funeral. He chose this text for his sermon and pointed to the strongboxes of money sitting close by. “Look inside that chest,” he said, “and you’ll find this man’s heart!”
They looked and, sure enough, there was the grisly evidence, for “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
The “occupy movement” has sounded the alarm about what thoughtful people predicted thirty years ago: while the nation dithered about homegrown and foreign terrorists, our economic leadership gained control of banking, the news media and the electoral process, -- and robbed us blind. Now they are too wealthy to fail, and far too wealthy to care.
Jesus teaches his disciples not to be so stupid about money. While it has its uses, it is not a good investment. It is better to invest your time, energy and affections in family, neighbors and faith community. These graced relationships provide the essentials of security, companionship and affection. Money is for losers.
During the 13th century, the prophet Francis of Assisi appeared as the European economy shifted from barter to capital, a less personal way of life. While it allowed some to escape poverty through hard work, education and wise investments, it also encouraged violence on a wider, deeper scale. Small armies could expand into empires; the poor could be further removed from the concerns of the wealthy. A man could be “wealthy” although he owned nothing but money.
Francis resisted the cultural trend toward greed and, in his Order, set up a bulwark against it. We found complete freedom, security, family and joy in Christian poverty. With attitudes of service and simplicity, Franciscans humanized what promised to be a vicious economy of exploitation.
Nine hundred years later his heirs must reclaim his generous spirit if we would restore the principles of equality and democracy to this troubled world
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.