INTERIOR POVERTY IS HONESTY - 9/18/22 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Luke 16:13

“No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091822.cfm

Blessed Sunday! Jesus shows us the example of poverty in such a way that although He is God, He voluntarily chose to enter to the world, experience sufferings and die on the Cross. He is showing to us that by practicing poverty, we can be eternally rich in heaven. But, this poverty doesn't mean that we should have no possession or money at all. What is more pleasing to God is when people practice the virtue of interior poverty. A materially poor person does not necessarily mean a person who is poor in spirit. Even a poor person can be attached to material things. At the same time, a rich person does not automatically mean that he can't be poor in spirit. Even a rich man can be detached from his own wealth. As such, the virtue of interior poverty is something that everyone, whatever their state in life is, can practice by God's grace. Let's consider how both the rich and the poor can all persevere in this virtue of interior poverty. 

Is it a contradiction to say that a rich man be poor? The answer is "no" provided we know thay the word "poor" refers to interior poverty. But, how can a person with many wealth and resources be poor in spirit? In the gospel reading, Jesus says that we cannot serve God and the money at the same time. We have to choose one over the other. As such, a person who is financially successful in life should always prioritize to do God's will. This also means that his resources and money should be used for the glory of God and not for his own satisfactions. Providing for the poor is one way of doing so. Another is by helping people who are discerning their vocation in priesthood or other religious life. A person who is detached from his wealth sees everything he has as owned by God and not by himself. This is why in the parable mentioned in the earlier part of the gospel reading, the true rich man represents God, and all of us, even the rich people, are stewards of His blessings. If it's God's will that the business or the finance of the rich man seems to go down, the person should remain at peace because he knows he can still glorify God, follow Him and persevere in spiritual life. 

Let's discuss the situation of poor people. One person may be poor if he finds it extremely difficult to survive financially and materially speaking. They refer to the financially poor. However, all people, including those who are financially poor, should practice the virtue of interior poverty. If that's the case, what should they still do? What will be written here is also applicable to everyone, even those who may identify as between the rich and the poor. Since God tells us that we ought to serve God and not money, then it is pleasing to God if they remain dependent on Him, trust in Him, and not complain even if he is living a very difficult life. It's because God knows that if a financially poor person suddenly becomes rich, it may even cause the person to sin more and not to be as holy as God desires. If our goal is to serve God and persevere in holiness, then it's an opportunity to really trust in God no matter what happens because serving Him and loving Him are more than enough for us, even more than the worth of worldly things. May we practice the virtue of interior poverty because this is a sign that we are honest before God in our love for Him. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Amazing Testimony on Rosary:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FFyRwJBExMk

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/