Given Up or Giving Up?

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Ez 28:1-10; Deuteronomy 32:26-27AB, 27CD-28, 30, 35CD-36AB; Mt 19:23-30

Existential Doubts

Epicurus’ famous quote: “Vain is the word of a philosopher which does not heal any suffering of man. For just as there is no profit in medicine if it does not expel the diseases of the body, so there is no profit in philosophy either, if it does not expel the suffering of the mind.”

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/marriage/existential-doubts-go-see-a-philosopher-instead-of-a-psychologist/ar-BB1nSWVX?ocid=socialshare

Summary

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Jesus is not saying rich people are doomed. Jesus is saying all riches of the world can’t help you in your existential crisis. But for eternal life? For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.

Key Philosophical Questions

• Who am I?
• Why am I?
• What is my final end?

These are the basic philosophical questions that can’t be answered by the riches of this life. The contrast between the rich maen of Tyre and the poor men of the disciples make the contrast clear and even still the reason obvious. The rich who have exalted themselves as ‘gods’ because of the wealth they have amassed are foolish in their assessments. In the case of the disciples who have given up everything are left dumbfounded. They suddenly realized: they are not rich and moreover they ae extremely poor. What hope is there for us?

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth (PS 124:8).

Reflection

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. This impossible outcome (neither poverty or riches but trust) is of God.

Personal Reflection

I am semi-retired which means work is sporadic. My salvation is not my IRA balance nor my Social Security check. These things are useful to be sure. But my salvation, my hope, is in the Lord who can do the impossible. My horizon is not judged by my wealth or lack of wealth. But eyes raised to heaven and the One who is to come.

Sacred Readings

Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082024.cfm

First Reading

No, you are man, not a god, handed over to those who will slay you. You shall die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners, for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel mocks the arrogance of Tyre’s leader, who mistakes the city’s commercial success for evidence of his divinity. At the hands of a foreign army, commissioned by the only God worthy of the name, this leader dies a humiliating, unceremonious death (NABRE, Commentary on The Prince of Tyre. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/28?1=#33028001-1 ).

Responsorial

It is I who deal death and give life.

Gospel Acclamation

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Gospel

“For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry