Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time C. February 15, 2004. Our Lady of Grace 5:15, 9:30. Jeremiah 17: 5-8. I Corinthians 15; 12. 16-20. Luke 6: 17, 20-26.

Once there was a man who was obsessed with money. He sold most of his possessions and put the money in a bucket which he placed in a deep hole in his backyard. Everyday he went out to pull up the bucket so that he could count his money. He worked more and more hours to make even more money to put into his bucket. He spent less and less time with his family and friends, so that he could work more and make more money. As time passed he spent less and less money on food and clothes so that he could put more money into his bucket. He even refused to make repairs on his house so that he could save more money.

One day he went out to pull up his bucket and he found that it was gone. Someone had stolen it with all his savings. He cried and wailed so loudly that a neighbor came out to see what was happening. The distressed man said, “I’ve been robbed. The money I have saved for a lifetime is gone. I am completely ruined. What will I do now?” After a long silence his neighbor said, “My friend, the day that you made money the highest value in your life was the day on which you were lost and ruined. Today you have been saved. Now that you have lost your money you may be able to find your life.”

An economist at the University of Southern California made a study of 1,500 people over a 28 year period. His question was, “What makes people happy?” He concluded that, generally speaking, healthy people tend to be happier than unhealthy people, and that married people tend to be happier than unmarried people, but this is not always true in either case. To his apparent surprise he discovered that an increase in wealth or possessions does not yield a lasting improvement in overall happiness. The thrill of getting something new wears off quickly and the joy in getting something better lasts only until something even better comes along. Based on the results of his study this university professor says that we would be well advised to focus our attention on family, friends and activities that bring lasting joy, and diminish our focus on money and things.

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh…. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.”

Is Jesus saying that being poor is a blessing and a status that we should all seek, and that being rich is a deep problem and something we should avoid? Understanding this gospel is not as simple as that. While we want to take what Jesus is saying very seriously because it affects not only our eternal salvation but our happiness even in this life, the purpose of this gospel is neither to bless poverty nor to condemn wealth. The message of Jesus is a very practical one. It is about whom we trust. Do we trust in God or do we trust in our own resources? Just from the observation of our own lives we all know that we tend to pray more when we are sick than when we are healthy. When we are healthy we tend to trust in our health. When we are sick, especially deathly sick, we know we must trust in God. Does that mean we should try to be sick? Certainly not, but it does mean that sickness can lead us into a deeper relationship with God. When we have a good job and are making good money we tend to trust in our job and our money. When we lose a job prayer and trusting in God suddenly becomes more important. Does that mean that we should seek to be jobless and poor, or does it mean that being without a job can be an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God?

Jesus does see wealth as a difficulty in finding our way to God. A little later in Luke’s Gospel Jesus will say, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When his disciples way, “Well then who can be saved?” Jesus answers “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God?” Our own experience tells us that it is difficult to stay focused on God in a society that is focused on wealth and possessions. Jesus reminds us that those living in wealth and comfort are walking a difficult path. Yet, the message of Jesus is more about trust in God and true happiness, now and in eternity, than it is about wealth or poverty.

As I was praying about today’s gospel the words of a song came to mind. It is in our Gather Hymn Books. Please turn to number 601. If you know it, please join me for the refrain.

(Refrain)

“All that we have and all that we offer comes from a heart both frightened and free. Take what we bring now and give what we need. All done in his name.”

(Verse)

“Some would rely on their power; others put trust in their gold. Some have only their Savior, whose faithfulness never grows old.”

Whether we are rich or poor or somewhere in between, may the Lord help us to trust him always. For the gift of friendship with our God we give God thanks and praise.