Coffee With God

 

Reflection: Matthew 19:23-30

“Nobody gets to heaven without a letter of reference from the poor!” Writes Fr. Ron Rolheiser in one his columns. The gospel makes a definitive proposal today: our entry into heaven will depend on our response to the poor. It is easy to miss the point here: Jesus isn’t saying that wealth is bad. Nor is he saying that the poor are more virtuous than the rich. There are so many virtuous people who are rich. So, what does Jesus mean when he says, it is hard for the rich to enter heaven? Matthew is making a point to his listeners: the dangers of riches are that the wealth blinds people so that they don’t see the need of the poor any more. But care should be taken not to glamorize poverty. Economic Poverty is not a moral virtue. The focus of the Gospel is to learn to utilise one’s resources and wealth responsibly and ethically. Our faithful must be educated on financial literacy. Judicious and responsible use of one’ wealth is the criterion for financial literacy. In one his popular parables , Jesus speaks of the Landowner who had a huge harvest on one occasion and he tells himself – “Eat, drink and make merry my soul.” Because your store-rooms are full and you can enjoy the rest of your life.” But the Lord calls him “fool.” Your resources and wealth are not meant for the store-rooms. They are like the “Manna.” They are good enough just for one day. On the second day, they get spoiled. Therefore, it needs to be shared. Disciples are promised great results for the sacrifices they make – not in the next life but here on earth… Of course the greatest wealth that man can have is our relationships. Jesus promises us with a hundred fold of parents, brothers and sisters. Sharing our resources with the poor make us one family – A family where we share all what we have.