20TH TUESDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE DANGER OF RICHES
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Judg 6:11-24; Psalm 85:9, 11-14; Matt 19:23-30
Jesus’ warning reiterated the wisdom of the Old Testament: Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways (Proverbs 28:6).
Was Jesus really against wealth? And why does he issue such a strong warning to the rich (as well as to the rest of us who desire to be rich)? We know that Jesus was not opposed to wealth per se, nor was he opposed to the wealthy. He had many friends who were well-to-do, including some notorious tax collectors! One even became an apostle!
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Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing” (Revelations 3:17). Wealth can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (1 Tim. 6:9-10). Let us look at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused to aid the poor man Lazarus ( Luke 16:19). They also neglected to serve God. Where is our treasure?
PRAYER: Lord, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures of heaven. May you always be our treasure and delight and may nothing else keep us from giving you our all. Amen
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