Both of today's readings concern money, which lends credence to the old saying, "The more things change, the more things stay the same." The ancient Roman world of Jesus and Saint Paul was not all that different from today. Money circulated throughout the "known" world and probably seeped into as-yet-unknown worlds beyond the Empire. Those who had much wanted more; those who had little managed. And some, like Saint Paul, disavowed any need for it.
Money, essentially, is a form of transaction between people; it is a way for people to exchange their resources for their needs and, hopefully, to provide for the needs of everyone.
Since that prehistoric day when someone invented some kind of currency and persuaded others to use it, money has been disproportionately important to people with skewed value systems. And that's pretty nearly all of us.
Fortunately, God has always provided us with grace, which is freely given and freely received -- like air and water -- to help us see the worth of money more clearly.
The Christian sees money most clearly in the light of the crucifixion. There is a penniless, naked, dying man who enjoys utter freedom and gives everything he has with astonishing generosity.
Rightly has the cross been compared to a fruit tree. Its resources are deep in the earth where it soaks up water and nutrients. It gathers more water and matter -- especially carbon -- from the air and produces wood, leaves and fruit. They in turn are collected by human harvesters, birds, bugs and germs, Even the hungry earth collects and reuses the rotting fruit that falls to the ground. Nothing goes to waste and the tree -- like the crucified man -- begrudges no one.
It would take over a thousand years for another man -- Saint Francis of Assisi -- to discover the total freedom of that Sacred Tree. He made a vow to rely totally on grace, providing nothing for tomorrow. He found the freedom of which Jesus spoke when he said, "Behold the lilies of the field, they neither toil nor spin; yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed like one of these."
Francis' absolute freedom blossomed in joy, and to this day we enjoy the fruit of his abandonment.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.