Obstacles in wealth and power

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today challenge our understanding of wealth and power. The usual preparation for a mission to achieve change and advance the living conditions of a people is to amass wealth and develop power. God chooses Gideon to be the leader to save the Israelites from domination by the Midianites though by his own assessment he is the weakest and least in his clan. The psalmist proclaims a hint at the Divine understanding of the relationship for security and peace among people. The Lord will give what is good. His salvation is at hand for those who attend to the relationship. The glory of God will be shown through the salvation of those without power and might. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus advises that those who hold to power and wealth will find it very difficult to abandon the false security of material possessions and dependance on human relationships to bring fullness of life. The most full and glorious life is impossible for human mortals but it is the fruit of the intimate relationship to which we are invited by Jesus.