Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
James 5:1-6 | Psalm 48:14-20 | Mark 9:41-50
After yesterday’s tirade against the cocksure, St. James turns his guns on the rich today. He doesn’t pull any punches, condemning those who earn the riches off the sweat of their poorly-recompensed labourers. Thou shalt rot like thy ill-gotten gains, saith the Lord.
His message is supported by Jesus’ observation in today’s gospel, about how we should shun anything that leads us to sin. He makes special mention of the incompatibility between earthly and heavenly riches in Matthew’s gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 19:23-24)
So hard, he said it twice.
But middle-class Singaporeans are actually considered materially rich, especially by regional standards. Are we therefore condemned to burn for all eternity then?
I think not, but it’ll take a lot of mental work. See, I believe that the heavenly roadblock rich people face is really their preoccupation with their riches. Here’s my “easy” four-step eternal life recipe for fat cats:
- Come by your riches honestly. Don’t lie, cheat and steal your way to your millions. Pay your workers a proper wage, and don’t enslave them.
- Thank God for your wealth. Early and often, but not like the proud Pharisee who praised himself over the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14).
- Shun excess. You only have one pair of hands, so six iPads is a bit much.
- Share with the needy. Consider donating your extra iPads and significant wealth to charitable causes, and your time to bettering others’ lives.
If you can do all that, I think you’re well on your way to justifying a ride to heaven…on the back of a midget camel that’s about to thread a building-sized needle. ?
Lord, you have given us so many gifts for our journey here on earth. Remind us always to generously share these gifts and their fruits with others, all for the glory of You. Amen.