Giving up on power and possessions

Listening to the Spirit

Gracious God,
Enlightened by your Holy Spirit help us to open our eyes;
left to ourselves we won't be able to recognize where true value abides
and the deception of senses will make our lives miserable.
With clarity coming from your word
make us instruments of your salvation to all our brothers and sisters
through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Listening to the Word

Lk 12:32-48

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

“Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish[f] him, and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

Reflection

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms.

Even in today's gospel, Jesus is teaching us to break the curse that disfigures our humanity and brings us to death: the secret is to join in his vision of God by becoming his disciples.

Let us be aware that to grasp the implication of his proposal of true humanity, one that is in stark contrast with the choices of many, one has not to be afraid of giving up an old way of thinking centered on power and possessions.

The way of love-building and wealth accumulation are far apart and incompatible with the Lord's proposal.

Only a few people – a small flock can see the beauty of such a challenging vision.

Certainly, the poor, more free from attachments, are in a better position to resonate with the language of the Kingdom of God.

Wealth beyond one's needs is meant to be shared among those in need. Regrettably, the opposite is happening, with few exceptions who are blessed. Maybe some are pledging to help, but at the end of the day, true help comes from the poor so accustomed to sharing.

I am affirming life not when I'm showing off my latest sports car but when I am quietly extending my help to a family in need.