GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 21ST AUGUST 2017
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS X, POPE
FIRST READING: Judges 2:11-19
PSALM: Psalm 106:34-37, 39-40, 43-44
GOSPEL: Matthew 19:16-22
THEME: COME, FOLLOW ME
Material prosperity is central to the proclamation of the Gospel in quite a number of Christian communities. I once heard a preacher saying on the radio, “Anyone who glorifies poverty is an enemy of God.”
People who prosper materially are considered, either explicitly or implicitly, as the favoured ones of God and those who are not materially prosperous are sometimes thought of as people who have some deficiencies in their faith. Let’s face it, even in our churches, respect is often accorded more to the wealthy than the less endowed.
In our Gospel text for today, a rich young man came to Jesus. The text describes him as one who had many possessions (cf. Mt. 19:22). One can imagine that many churches today would give such a man a special seat during Sunday services and put him on an important and strategic committee in the Church.?
Another important point to note is that he was a good man, at least from the perspective of the observance of the Decalogue. He had observed all of the commandments (cf. Mt. 19:20).
The young man put this question to Jesus: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Mt 19:16). In reply, Jesus said to him, “…If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mt. 19:21). This statement of Jesus is a tough one, and indeed it deflated the young man for “when he heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions” (Mt. 19:22)???. The very thing that made him a VIP in his Jewish community had become an obstacle for him to follow Jesus.
If we do not take care, the very thing we consider to be a sign of God’s favour may hinder us from following Christ. Some have been favoured with marriage partners and yet their marriages have become obstacles for them in following Christ. Some too have been favoured with good jobs and their jobs have become hindrances for them in following Christ. There are others who have been favoured with beauty and their beauty is leading them away from Christ.
When we hold on tightly to the favours we have received from God at the expense of the Giver of those favours, we would always walk away from Christ sad. When God blesses you with wealth, use it to serve the Lord and your worth would not diminish but increase.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, you are my treasure and pearl of great price. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me on earth and ‘I count everything else as complete rubbish’ if only I can have you for all eternity. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)