CAN WEALTH BUY HAPPINESS? ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Monday, 23^rdOctober 2017.

Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Rom 4: 20-25;

Lk 1: 69-75 (R) 68;

Lk 12: 13-21.

CAN WEALTH BUY HAPPINESS?

It was not uncommon for people in Palestine to take their unsettled disputes to respected Rabbis. So one hearer requested Jesus to interpose between him and his brother in a matter concerning division of their property. According to the Jewish laws of inheritance, the eldest son got a double portion of the property (Deut 21:16-17). This man who came to Jesus was the younger son who wanted an equal share of his father’s property instead of the usual share allotted by the Jewish laws. With a parable, Jesus gave a new meaning to the old law wherein justice would be done to all. Jesus gave a new idea saying happiness does not consist in the possession of abundant wealth after all.

In this parable, the rich man had such a bountiful harvest that he decided to tear down his old barns and build bigger ones so as to store the harvest. Little did this man realize that his life would soon come to an end and that all he stored up would never be used by him. The contrast in this parable is between an abundance of earthly wealth and wealth in what matters to God. Sure, it may be possible to be rich in both, but accomplishing this would be quite difficult.

One straightforward challenge of this Gospel is to eliminate the desire for material wealth. It’s not that material wealth is evil, it’s just that it is a serious temptation. The temptation is to trust in material things for satisfaction rather than trusting only in God. Material wealth should be understood to be a true temptation that must be kept in check.

Reflect, today, upon your desire for wealth. Let this Gospel offer you a straightforward challenge regarding your desire for riches. Be honest and look into your heart. Do you spend much time thinking about money and material possessions? Seek God above all things and let Him alone be your satisfaction.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to be truly rich in grace and mercy rather than in material things. Help me to always keep the proper priorities in life and to be purified in all of my desires. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.