Restricted by Riches

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine how our material wealth concerns may be restricting our ability to know and live in the peace and security of the siblings of Jesus.

Weakness of Wealth

The Reading from the Prophet Ezekiel assesses the “wealth” of the Prince of Tyre.

* [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.

* [28:3] Wiser than Daniel: see note on 14:14. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from the Book of Deuteronomy declares the Lord’s honor will be vindicated.

* [32:1–43] The whole song is a poetic sermon, having for its theme the Lord’s benefits to Israel (vv. 1–14) and Israel’s ingratitude and idolatry in turning to the gods of the nations; these sins will be punished by the nations themselves (vv. 15–29); in turn, the foolish pride of the nations will be punished, and the Lord’s honor will be vindicated (vv. 30–43).

* [32:28–35] The reference is to the nations, not to Israel.

* [32:36] Neither bond nor free: an all-inclusive expression; cf. 1 Kgs 14:10; 2 Kgs 9:8. (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew declares all who respond to the call of Jesus will be the same in respect to inheriting the benefits of the kingdom.

* [19:23–24] Riches are an obstacle to entering the kingdom that cannot be overcome by human power. The comparison with the impossibility of a camel’s passing through the eye of a needle should not be mitigated by such suppositions as that the eye of a needle means a low or narrow gate. The kingdom of God: as in Mt 12:28; 21:31, 43 instead of Matthew’s usual kingdom of heaven.

* [19:25–26] See note on Mk 10:23–27.

* [19:28] This saying, directed to the Twelve, is from Q; see Lk 22:29–30. The new age: the Greek word here translated “new age” occurs in the New Testament only here and in Ti 3:5. Literally, it means “rebirth” or “regeneration,” and is used in Titus of spiritual rebirth through baptism. Here it means the “rebirth” effected by the coming of the kingdom. Since that coming has various stages (see notes on Mt 3:2; 4:17), the new age could be taken as referring to the time after the resurrection when the Twelve will govern the true Israel, i.e., the church of Jesus. (For “judge” in the sense of “govern,” cf. Jgs 12:8, 9, 11; 15:20; 16:31; Ps 2:10). But since it is connected here with the time when the Son of Man will be seated on his throne of glory, language that Matthew uses in Mt 25:31 for the time of final judgment, it is more likely that what the Twelve are promised is that they will be joined with Jesus then in judging the people of Israel.

* [19:30] Different interpretations have been given to this saying, which comes from Mk 10:31. In view of Matthew’s associating it with the following parable (Mt 20:1–15) and substantially repeating it (in reverse order) at the end of that parable (Mt 20:16), it may be that his meaning is that all who respond to the call of Jesus, at whatever time (first or last), will be the same in respect to inheriting the benefits of the kingdom, which is the gift of God. (Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche reflects on the question of a friend who asks him if Old Testament God and New Testament God are the same. They thought it seemed like the mean God went to therapy and came out the loving Jesus of the Gospels.

I believe that the loving Jesus is God, and He is the same loving God I read in the Old Testament; however, I struggle to see that love in practice at times. So, my logic forces me to question my interpretation. Where is the love for the prince of Tyre? It must be there; God is there.

Where is the love of God for the rich man, for the medium to high income American who is independent and believes they can go it alone? Right there in the story, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Am I that far from the prince of Tyre? Do I break the first commandment in my heart and think, “I am” independent, worthy, important, somebody? It’s worth considering. (Dyche, 2026)

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

"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) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Ezekiel is a hymn, a lamentation over the prince of Tyre who is a very rich and powerful tyrant. It is a taunt song that is declared before the tragedy befalls. He is not a god but he will be destroyed. One never knows one's fate and must surrender to the will of God. The difficulty for the rich or self-sufficient to enter the Kingdom is like the camel passing through the eye of a needle. Friar Jude recently discovered that no such gate existed in the wall of Jerusalem and that the Gospel refers to a real camel and real eye of a needle. This is an example of typical Aramaic exaggeration .They are their own gods not willing to give up their wealth and power. Those who preach the hospitality of Jesus, like Francis of Assisi, who gave up everything and consequently are able to embrace and celebrate everything. Friar Jude asks us to consider: What is the most important thing in my life? Do we hold on to it? and is it Jesus?

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30 comments that riches may cause us to be slower to thank the Lord for his blessings. We may begin to attribute our treasures solely to our own goodness and hard work and forget about God’s provision and his work in forming our character.

In the end, it’s when the “love of money” takes the place of the love of Christ that we get tripped up (1 Timothy 6:10). Money can be a good thing, but a good thing may become an idol, especially when we place our desire for it above our desire for God or when we trust it more than we trust the Lord.

So let’s thank God for all of our blessings. Let’s cast off any “idols” that we might turn to for comfort, hope, or peace. And let’s remember that what may seem impossible for us is always possible for him!

“Jesus, may I put my trust and hope only in you!” (Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, remembers the late Dr. Barbara Holmes (1943–2024), a beloved member of the CAC faculty, who acknowledges the complicated feelings that prophets evoke in their listeners. One of the most important characteristics of prophets is that they are dangerous to the system.

There is a neglected but important aspect of the prophetic call. In Numbers 11:24–29, Moses is exhausted with the people. Basically, God says “Okay, okay, assemble the elders. Look to the community. You were never supposed to do this alone. I told you to do it; I didn’t tell you to do it alone.” How many of us are carrying burdens that are not ours, and are feeling pretty righteous about it? The work of living and dying, raising children, and leading congregations, was never meant to be solitary work. After the elders assemble, Joshua tells Moses that the elders are prophesying, and he says, “Moses, make this stop!” Moses’s reply in Numbers 11:29 is, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that God would put God’s Spirit on them!”

Let’s just sit with that for a minute. Have you ever felt as if God’s Spirit was on you? Although many of the prophets in the Bible are presented as single carriers of God’s word, often there was a community of other prophets that they came from or were associated with. Who is your community?… If you’re called to the prophetic task, and I think in some aspects all of us are—where is your prophetic community that will feed you and support you and guide you and help you? (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to deepen our knowledge and understanding of our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader through leading our experience of working in community with the example of the Poverello of Assisi.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/32? 

Dyche, G. (2026, August 18). Daily Reflection August 18, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-18-2026 

Ezekiel, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/28?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19? 

Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/08/18/1649608/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Prophets Work in Community. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/prophets-work-in-community/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Can Enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Adopted and Healed

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present our relationship to God as “Abba” and who as a loving parent responds in the manner of Jesus to the need to heal the woman in the Synagogue.

Healed by Love

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares us Children of God through Adoption.

* [8:14–17] Christians, by reason of the Spirit’s presence within them, enjoy not only new life but also a new relationship to God, that of adopted children and heirs through Christ, whose sufferings and glory they share.

* [8:15] Abba: see note on Mk 14:36. (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 68 expresses confidence that God will destroy Israel’s enemies.

The argument develops in nine stanzas (each of three to five poetic lines): 1. confidence that God will destroy Israel’s enemies (Ps 68:2–4); 2. call to praise God as savior (Ps 68:5–7); (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus cures a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath.

* [13:10–17] The cure of the crippled woman on the sabbath and the controversy that results furnishes a parallel to an incident that will be reported by Luke in 14:1–6, the cure of the man with dropsy on the sabbath. A characteristic of Luke’s style is the juxtaposition of an incident that reveals Jesus’ concern for a man with an incident that reveals his concern for a woman; cf., e.g., Lk 7:11–17 and Lk 8:49–56.

* [13:15–16] If the law as interpreted by Jewish tradition allowed for the untying of bound animals on the sabbath, how much more should this woman who has been bound by Satan’s power be freed on the sabbath from her affliction.

* [13:16] Whom Satan has bound: affliction and infirmity are taken as evidence of Satan’s hold on humanity. The healing ministry of Jesus reveals the gradual wresting from Satan of control over humanity and the establishment of God’s kingdom. (Luke, CHAPTER 13|USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of Creighton University Community comments that rules as understood and applied by the religious leader in the Gospel are entirely of the flesh; they do nothing to help us achieve the life of the spirit.

The religious leader’s error was that he lost sight of the purpose of the rule. The purpose of the rule forbidding Sabbath work was to allow all to be able to glorify God at least one day a week. But understanding it as he did, it became a rule that would actually prevent glorifying God as Jesus did by healing the sick woman.

As humans we all struggle with rules. We break and bend them, often for selfish reasons. But the greatest error is entirely losing sight of their purposes. (Member of Creighton University Community, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus overcomes death and destruction,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"The incarnation of the Word and his assumption of human nature took place for the overthrow of death, destruction and the envy harbored against us by the wicked Serpent, who was the first cause of evil. This plainly is proved to us by facts themselves. He set free the daughter of Abraham from her protracted sickness, calling out and saying, 'Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.' A speech most worthy of God, and full of supernatural power! With the royal inclination of his will, he drives away the disease. He also lays his hands upon her. It says that she immediately was made straight. It is now also possible to see that his holy flesh bore in it the power and activity of God. It was his own flesh, and not that of some other Son beside him, distinct and separate from him, as some most impiously imagine."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 13:10-17 comments that it seems absurd that anyone would want to limit God’s power to certain days of the week. Yet there may be subtle ways that we put limitations on how and when God might heal us.

Whatever objections you might have, Jesus wants to set you free. He just asks you to keep showing up, to keep coming before him in prayer and trust. As you do, you are making yourself available to whatever he wants to do in you. He knows the healing you need. It may be a physical healing; it may be an easing of worry or calming of your emotions. It may be an increased closeness to him. Or it may be all of the above! Just remember the two women. They didn’t come specifically asking for healing. They just showed up.

And so did the Lord.

“Here I am, Lord. I trust you to give me what you know I need.” (Meditation on Luke 13:10-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that, in Romans, Paul speaks that we are no longer debtors to the flesh. We are children of God who we know intimately as “Abba”. We have to reject former ways in the dignity to which we have been called. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals in the synagogue on the Sabbath, where the rules allowed  healing only when at the time of death. The woman had suffered for 18 years so some people might ask “what’s one more day?”. Jesus notes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and acts immediately to heal the woman. Friar Jude reminds us that rules should bring us to greater love and not to be worshipped for themselves.

Fr. Mike Schmitz provides context to the God-centered perspective of 2 Maccabees and compares it to the more secular perspective provided by 1 Maccabees. He challenges us to reflect on our days with the lens of 2 Maccabees - acknowledging God’s presence in each moment of our story. Additionally, Fr. Mike shares the miraculous conversion story of St. Mary of Egypt. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 3, Sirach 45-46, and Proverbs 24:10-12.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes who describes the gifts and wisdom she has received from the ancestors of her faith and culture.

The end result is that I know that I am not alone. I am connected to the past and the future by the ligatures of well-lived lives, the mysteries of “beyondness,” and the memories and narratives that lovingly bind and support me. While I hope that when I die, one of the elders in my family who have crossed over to the realm of the ancestors will be at my bedside, I certainly did not expect contact prior to that time. And yet here I am, [in my work] hearing from liberation leaders I have never personally met. As it turns out, they are also my elders as certainly as if they occupied a branch of my family tree. They have bequeathed to all of us a legacy of resolve, resistance, and spiritual expansiveness. (Rohr, n.d.)

We may have experienced a worship tradition that had a huge number of rules and we are reminded by Jesus that love and compassion supersede human regulations, particularly when the “anawim” are in need.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 13|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13?10 

Meditation on Luke 13:10-17. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/27/1415470/ 

Member of Creighton University Community. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-29-2007 

Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/68?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/community-continues/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?12 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Freedom from Bondage for Eighteen Years. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Separation and Seekers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the nature of our choice of fullness of life and the consequences of our choice.

Separation with Seeking

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans exhorts Freedom from Sin and Life in God.

* [6:20] You were free from righteousness: expressed ironically, for such freedom is really tyranny. The commercial metaphors in Rom 6:21–23 add up only one way: sin is a bad bargain.

* [6:22] Sanctification: or holiness. (Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 1 proclaims Two Ways of Life.

* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death. (Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus identifies His Way as a Cause of Division.*

* [12:49–53] Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. His message that meets with acceptance or rejection will be a source of conflict and dissension even within families.

* [12:50] Baptism: i.e., his death. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jane Stein comments that the Gospel from Luke gives us a challenging dimension of discipleship. Jesus declares that His coming is not simply to bring a superficial peace but to set the world on fire with God’s love and truth—a fire that purifies, unsettles, and divides.

Taken together, these scriptures do not paint a comfortable picture of discipleship. They remind us that to follow Christ is to choose deliberately: life over death, sanctification over sin, rootedness in God’s word over drifting with the winds of the world, radical fidelity to Jesus above all earthly loyalties. This reality may be jarring, but with it comes the promise that living as servants of God leads to freedom, flourishing, and eternal life. As the psalm assures us, blessed indeed are those whose hope is in the Lord. (Stein, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The fire of the Gospel and being baptized in the Holy Spirit,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"

We affirm that the fire that Christ sent out is for humanity's salvation and profit. May God grant that all our hearts be full of this. The fire is the saving message of the Gospel and the power of its commandments. We were cold and dead because of sin and in ignorance of him who by nature is truly God. The gospel ignites all of us on earth to a life of piety and makes us fervent in spirit, according to the expression of blessed Paul (Romans 12:11). Besides this, we are also made partakers of the Holy Spirit, who is like fire within us. We have been baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit. We have learned the way from what Christ says to us. Listen to his words: 'Truly I say to you, that except a man be born of water and spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:5). It is the divinely inspired Scripture's custom to give the name of fire sometimes to the divine and sacred words and to the efficacy and power which is by the Holy Spirit by which we are made fervent in spirit." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 94) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Romans passage declares we have to live the Law of Christ in our bodies to Gentiles who did not live a life of purity and sexual morality. We are called to respond to the dignity that God gives us. The wages of sin is death and the gift of God is life, worthy of what God called us to be and not a degraded life of pleasure and comfort.  Luke challenging because Jesus did not come to bring peace His message will create division in the world. A life of love will be rejected. No good deed goes unpunished. Very few Arrested? Enough evidence to convict? Friar Jude reflects on the daily struggle to live a Christian life, as the martyrdom of pinpricks, of St. Therese of Lisieux where love and care may be thought have one be a push over or weak by society.

Fr. Mike Schmitz begins to wrap up 1 Maccabees, Fr. Mike directs our attention to how 2 Maccabees will tell the same story in a different way. In Sirach, we are encouraged to know our own hearts, so that we can know our strengths, weaknesses, and where we might need healing. The readings are 1 Maccabees 15, Sirach 36-37, and Proverbs 23:26-28. 

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Cassidy Hall who describes the solidarity she feels with other contemplatives who continue to explore new ways of understanding themselves, their lives, and God. Her quest led her to the wide and evolving lineage of Christian contemplation—from Thomas Merton’s writings to the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, to the work of Dr. Barbara Holmes.

We come from all walks of life, cultures, and markers of identity. There is a unity in our uniqueness, and that common thread binds us together, allowing us to recognize each other…. As I learned from more diverse voices, I came to understand Christian contemplation as a living tradition. The word living insinuates an ongoing, even growing nature. Life necessitates space, breathing room, and an openness to change. That which is living cannot exist in a place of complete certitude—to do so would be to count it dead: not continuing, not evolving, not ever-becoming. In this way, contemplation is its own spiritual paradox, one of tradition and change, stillness and action. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the separation between the view of a world gifted to seekers by God for the full life of all and the disruptive decisions that bring destruction and conflict in the pursuit of personal privilege and power.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?49 

Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-community-of-seekers/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6?19 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Came to Cast Fire upon the Earth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Stein, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-23-2025