Peace from true wealth

Much of the created world is controlled by people for their own gain and security. History, at times, seems to be the story of how one tribe conquers and oppresses the other for control of land which is considered valuable to maintain the power of the oppressor. At the time in the history of Israel which is associated with the passage today about the calling of Gideon, from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, the valley of Jezrael, an agricultural area where the Israelites lived, was invaded and controlled by an Eastern tribe of Madianites. During this time of seven years, the Israelites had yielded to the pressure of the conquerors and had even brought worship and offerings to the foreign gods. The Lord calls Gideon, to be the leader to free His people from this oppression. The Gospel from Matthew is a dialog between Jesus and His disciples about the difficulty of those who rely on their own resources of wealth, power and property to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This entry to heaven may have two meanings; the return to God at the end of life is understood to be a time of judgement of our faithfulness to Love God and neighbour (see Matthew 25:31-46) is one meaning and the other is the peace of relationship with God which is featured in the story of Gideon and which is experienced by believers in daily life. Friar Jude Winkler speaks of the riches which are available in friendship, relationship and enjoyment of creation to those who have rejected control of their lives by the bonds of social expectation and the management of wealth. He clarifies that the return on investment which is declared by the adherents to the “Gospel of Prosperity” is not the wealth of Francis of Assisi to which Friar Jude is a witness. The wealth, peace and security of Francis is available to all.