Friars Corner: God’s wisdom vs worldly riches
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
Wisdom 7:7-13; Psalms 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30
Here are a few insights on God’s wisdom about possessions. The Book of Wisdom was written in a sophisticated intellectual milieu about 100 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It speaks about the value of God’s wisdom in a successful life. Solomon had asked God for special insights as to how, as king, he should govern Israel. God plan is best and strongly contrasts to this world’s wealth.
In a similar vein, this part of the Second Reading from Hebrews, reminds us that God’s word, his wisdom, helps us see what is right and wrong. This ability to discern between the two options is given to us at Baptism, and more fully at Confirmation. It helps us understand what are our innermost values:
- What we want for our own personal good, such as lots of possessions and riches.
- What goes God want us to do in our daily life of following him.
- What is coming from evil sources, from fallen angels who oppose God’s plan.
The demon Moloch
One prime example, which greatly operates in our country and the world, is “pro-life forces” or “pro-abortion forces.” One is for life and the right for life from conception until natural death. The other is murder, especially for those most vulnerable. The main demon in charge of death of the unborn is Moloch. He goes by some other names in various pagan cultures, yet he is still around today. Read, “Demonic Abortion,” by Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, 2010 by Human Life International, ISBN:978-1-55922-062-0. You find Moloch in the Old Testament. He has been around for some three thousand years. We must stand against him and all of his forces, demonic and human accomplices.
This is an explosive issue of division in our country and the upcoming election. Do we vote for pro-life candidates or for murder? How will God judge us at the end of our life when we stand alone before him at our own personal judgment? Good Catholic Christians cannot vote a straight party line. It is clear when you look at the record. One party stands mostly for life and the other does not.
Three marks of a disciple
This week, the gospel of Mark gives us three other examples. The first is an impetuous and enthusiastic good Jewish man. He wants to be part of Jesus’ new kingdom. Jesus invites him to “sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. That rich young man was not willing to do that.
The second mark of a disciple of Jesus is to observe the basic Christian principles. Wealth and the basic Christian guidelines and are often in conflict, like the “pro-life issue.”
The third mark today regards the present and future blessings that flow from renouncing a lot of worldly values, money, power positions and evil or “dark side pleasures,” which greatly abound in our culture today. If we want to be completely happy in heaven after this life, we must follow the “narrow way,” which Jesus proposes. If we do follow Jesus, we give up a lot of what seems good in the world. That is not easy. Jesus said God gives the graces necessary to make those hard choices to get to heaven.
Live simply for Jesus
Most of us cannot walk away from all that we have today or tomorrow. Yet we are all called to examine our values and lives. If we come to know Jesus personally and commit ourselves to be his disciple, then we live more simply, ask more questions about acquiring more possessions, and are more conscious of the needy around us. Because Jesus lives in our mind and heart, we don’t need all those worldly things. As we pray and go deeper with Jesus, his divine power in us flows out upon those around us each day and we help Jesus make the world a better place to live.
Please pray a lot these next few weeks, and consult the pro-life candidate list in your area. Help your family and friends see the differences and what we face in our country now. This is a critical time for our nation. Then go vote and take others with you. We cannot afford to let the “dark side” win.
May God continue to bless you and yours and draw you deeper into his heart of love and forgiveness.
Get as close to God as bark is to its tree. I promise you blessings,
+ Fr. Bob Hilz
fbhilz@gmail.com
(© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)
