"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Ironically, those who despise the company of other human beings and think, "They're all dishonest and selfish!" often put great store by money. Which is to say, they rely on that institution which is entirely based on honesty. If you put a pile of money in the bank you count on it's being there next month or next year! If you work for a certain wage you believe your employer will pay you that wage, and it will be worth something once it's yours.
But we often hear of collapsed economies where money is worthless. Venezuela, being a case in point. Dishonest autocrats -- Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro -- ran the government deep into debt and wealthy people are left penniless.
Those who store up honest, reliable relations will fare much better in hard times than the obsessively greedy, frightened, and dishonest. In a rational world that would be common sense.
Today's gospel is taken from Saint Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount," which will conclude with Jesus' teaching about infrastructure. "Those who build their houses on rock... and those who build on sand..."
Obviously he knew something about architecture and construction, which is to say, "human nature." No one builds a house alone; it takes a raft of specialists. If they're honest the house will stand; if they cut corners, pay kickbacks, accept kickbacks, bribe inspectors, underpay their employees, or leave jobs unfinished the house will collapse.
People often think religion is all about spirituality. I have no idea what that is. Our Christian religion is about life in the real world where moths destroy and thieves break in and steal. Our faith urges us to live honorably, as in daylight:
The valiant one whose steps are guided by the LORD,
who will delight in his way,
May stumble, but he will never fall,
for the LORD holds his hand.
Neither in my youth, nor now in old age
have I seen the righteous one abandoned
or his offspring begging for bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
and his offspring become a blessing. Psalm 37
No comments:
Post a Comment
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.