Isolated in our independent pursuit of wealth

From a taut song against abuse of wealth to our desire for an abiding peace, the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer us much for contemplation.

Our desires 

The Prophet Ezekiel mocks the arrogance of Tyre’s leader.

* [28:1–10] Ezekiel mocks the arrogance of Tyre’s leader, who mistakes the city’s commercial success for evidence of his divinity. At the hands of a foreign army, commissioned by the only God worthy of the name, this leader dies a humiliating, unceremonious death.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus concludes teaching on the challenge of riches inspired by encountering the rich young man.

* [19:16–30] Cf. Mk 10:17–31. This story does not set up a “two-tier” morality, that of those who seek (only) eternal life (Mt 19:16) and that of those who wish to be perfect (Mt 19:21). It speaks rather of the obstacle that riches constitute for the following of Jesus and of the impossibility, humanly speaking, for one who has many possessions (Mt 19:22) to enter the kingdom (Mt 19:24). Actual renunciation of riches is not demanded of all; Matthew counts the rich Joseph of Arimathea as a disciple of Jesus (Mt 27:57). But only the poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) can enter the kingdom and, as here, such poverty may entail the sacrifice of one’s possessions. The Twelve, who have given up everything (Mt 19:27) to follow Jesus, will have as their reward a share in Jesus’ (the Son of Man’s) judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28), and all who have similarly sacrificed family or property for his sake will inherit eternal life (Mt 19:29).

Wayne Jackson presents “A Study of the King of Tyre Prophecy in Ezekiel 28”.

But the king’s power and riches corrupted him; unrighteousness consumed him. He became violent and egotistical. The Sovereign of the earth thus declared his impending doom.
“I have cast you as profane out of the mountain of God” (vv. 15-17).
The verb is a prophetic perfect. That which is certain to happen is spoken of as if it were accomplished already (Block, p. 116).

Colleen Chiacchere invites us to focus on what is truly important, cautioning that the focus on material wealth is a poisonous recipe for our hearts, and, ultimately, our futures.

Today we celebrate Pope Pius X, who was known for his focus on Christ, and for renewing all things through Christ during his tenure in Rome.
I think, too, of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits, as he sought to set everything down literally with is sword and figuratively by his dedication, at the statue of the Black Madonna in Montserrat, Spain.  His conversion led him to leave behind stability and accumulated wealth to be a poor beggar, a pilgrim of Christ. Ignatius’ prominent example of striving to model Christ’s poverty gives us a lens from which to view our own need for conversion.

A Post by Franciscan Media notes that Pius X humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Pius X gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus.

While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense.
On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began, and was canonized in 1954.

Don Schwager quotes John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D., on “Who can enter the kingdom of heaven”?

"What then did Christ say? 'How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.' He was not criticizing money itself but the wills of those who are taken captive by it. If it will be difficult for the rich, how much more so for the avaricious! For if stinginess with one’s own wealth is an impediment to gaining the kingdom, think how much fire is amassed for taking someone else's. But why does he say that it is hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom, to the disciples, who were poor and had nothing? He teaches them not to be ashamed of their poverty and, as it were, gives the reason why he did not allow them to possess anything. After saying it is hard, he also shows them that it is impossible, and not simply impossible but even in an exaggerated way impossible. He shows this from the comparison of the camel and the needle: 'It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.' Hence Christ demonstrates that there is a significant reward for the wealthy who can practice self-denial. He also said that this had to be the work of God, that he might show that great grace is needed for anyone who is going to achieve it." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 63.2)

The Word Among Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30 shares that Jesus knew that having the wrong mindset toward money and possessions can lead us to deny God his rightful place in our lives.

We may become self-serving and think only of our comfort and our desire for greater and greater financial security. Or we may be easily distracted by the cares and responsibilities that come with greater wealth. For instance, we may spend all our time and energy worrying about our bank accounts and trying to protect all that we have. Or we can get a false sense of security that leads to a greater sense of pride and self-sufficiency. No wonder Jesus gave such a strong word of warning!

Friar Jude Winkler discusses arrogance coming before the fall in the passage from Ezekiel. The end of the text today from Matthew, or the source text in Mark, is often associated with the Gospel of Wealth. Friar Jude asserts that Francis of Assisi, by his vow of poverty, resulting in not having one thing enabled him to embrace all things.

Corrie Mitchell cites Ten Bible Verses Prosperity Gospel Preachers Need to Stop Misusing. One is based on the source of Matthew’s Gospel Mark 10:17-31 ( particularly Mark 10:29-30).

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley who describes the Four Noble Truths that the Buddha taught and embodied for the rest of his life that lead to the Noble Eightfold Path which is the way of life in which one is liberated from the tyranny of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path includes eight “right practices”: right view, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right diligence, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Our desire to accumulate wealth may be a false journey to avoid suffering. Father Richard connects to what Christians might call “surrender to the will of God.” as a way of abiding peace and equanimity in the rise and fall of daily circumstances. He asserts that if we do not transform our pain we will most certainly transmit it. Meditation or contemplation helps us stay on this path and allow ourselves to be changed at the deepest levels.

References

(n.d.). Ezekiel, chapter 28 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/28
(n.d.). Matthew 19. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew19.htm
(n.d.). A Study of the King of Tyre Prophecy in Ezekiel 28 : Christian Courier. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1150-study-of-the-king-of-tyre-prophecy-in-ezekiel-28-a
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 21, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Saint Pius X – Franciscan Media. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-pius-x/
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(2016, September 24). OnFaith Discussion: Ten Bible Verses Prosperity Gospel Preachers .... Retrieved August 21, 2018, from https://www.onfaith.co/discussion/ten-bible-verses-prosperity-gospel-preachers-need-to-stop-misusing
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 21, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/