Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
I suppose we've all heard the accusation that "the Church" has "trillions of dollars," and it's probably true if all the money in all the pockets, bank accounts, investments, and real estate of all the Catholics in the world were added up.
But if they suppose there is a single bank account, a single organization like the Vatican City or the papacy, or even the Vatican Bank, with "trillions of dollars," they'd be disappointed. Discounting the money of individual Catholics, no one can even say how many bank accounts there are among the Catholic institutions of dioceses, parishes, schools, hospitals, and religious communities. I don't know that anyone could enumerate how many kinds of institutions there are, much less their assets. Only God can know such mysteries.
People who make such wild accusations cannot imagine the length and breadth and depth of the Church in the world. Nor do they much care. They're just making excuses for not belonging.
Periodically bad things happen and I have heard of religious communities of sisters, brothers, or priests going bankrupt. It's a catastrophe but worse things could happen. We're bound by the vows each has made to God, not by our money, interests, or assets, nor even by our particular affection for one another. Although that is strong and deep.
We find the origins of our church with its bonds of affection in the New Testament. It's telling that Judas managed whatever money Jesus and his twelve apostles, or seventy-two disciples, or following of men and women owned. When he absconded, presumably with the money, either to die of suicide, accident, or old age, the Church went on with out him. His disappearance was a crisis, but not the loss of their money.
Today's brief first reading recalls one financial arrangement of the early church. Christian missionaries traveled from town to town with letters of recommendation from well known leaders to their acquaintances. Leading consecrated widows, presbyters, deacons, and bishops maintained frequent contact with one another via letters and visits. Traveling missionaries often bore their greetings to one another; and though they were impecunious, they were warmly welcomed.
Money is essentially a medium of exchange between persons and institutions. It's worth whatever we agree upon, but our trust, admiration, and love for one another are worth infinitely more.
There is indeed enormous wealth in the Church.
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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.