MONDAY HOMILY OF 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
MONDAY HOMILY OF 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: MISPLACED HOPE AND TREASURE
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
1 PETER 1:3-9, MARK 10:17-27
Jesus’ warning reiterated the teaching of the Old Testament wisdom: Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways (Proverbs 28:6)
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What gives hope and satisfaction to our desire for happiness and security? A young man who had the best the world could offer — wealth and security — came to Jesus because he lacked one thing. He wanted the kind of lasting peace and happiness which money could not buy him. The answer he got, however, was not what he was looking for. He protested that he kept all the commandments; but Jesus spoke to the trouble in his heart. One thing kept him from giving himself whole-heartedly to God. While he lacked nothing in material goods, he was nonetheless possessive of what he had. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed. So when Jesus challenged him to make God his one true possession and treasure, he became dismayed.
Why did he go away from Jesus with sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy.
Why does Jesus issue such a strong warning to the rich (as well as to the rest of us who desire to be rich)? Was he really against wealth? We know that Jesus was not opposed to wealth per se, nor was he opposed to the wealthy. He had many friends who were well-to-do, including some notorious tax collectors! One even became an apostle!
PRAYER: Lord, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures of heaven. May you always be our treasure and delight and may nothing else keep us from giving you our all. Amen
Have a blessed week!
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