[Readings: Phil 3:3-8; Lk 15:1-10]
I have watched many videos of inspirational content creators that show how poor beggars are frequently rejected or neglected by rich people but eventually receive help from homeless poor fellow. These videos seem to demonstrate how much out of touch and unconcerned many normal people are when they experience people in desperate need. It also projects the idea that only paupers or those who have experienced poverty can be sensitive to the sufferings of others. But this cannot be the case. No one should say, “I can’t help because I don’t understand his situation”. For you must not necessarily experience being in want to understand the sufferings of those in want just as you must not necessarily experience drunkenness in order to help an alcoholic.
This lesson resonates in today’s readings from the experiences of two characters of prudence (St. Paul in the first reading, and the Astute Servant in the Gospel) who through their actions shared the secrets of living a fulfilling Christian life. St. Paul’s appreciation of the Philippians for their generosity teaches us that gratitude is the most basic act of charity. Being grateful for what we have or receive is an act of humility, a sign of poverty in the spirit which empowers us with a sense of real value and brings us to the realization that what we have now is a grace (gratis), a temporary gift that can vanish anytime. So we must be grateful in abundance for what we own as though we are still in need, just as a beggar remains grateful for the gifts he receives. By so doing, we would understand the realities of being in need even when we are not poor. It is also the empathy that connects us to the plight of others and enables us to show concern and make sacrifices for love’s reward.
God wants us to show concern whether we are in need or in abundance, for He is a rich and generous God who chose to be poor for us to be rich. What matters most in life is not how much we have or give but how much we care. The astute servant used his limited privileges to win himself unlimited favors. He realized that winning the trust and love of others through empathy and sacrifice is a true wealth much more valuable than material wealth. That is why as children of God, we are called to reflect the identity of Christ by “storing up for ourselves heavenly treasures” that are worth more than earthly wealth. Our identity and actions should not be determined by how much we have or lack. Our privileged positions should be channels of expressing the great wealth of love, empathy, and concern we possess as children of God. This enables us to set our priorities right and focus on what is most valuable namely; that we shall be remembered for the love we shared instead of for the wealth we stored. Whether we have or lack, we must show concern through a fervent readiness to offer our time, talent and treasures for the sake of others.
The Christian life reflects this grace of empathy in a way that makes us care about others without minding whether we live in abundance or in humble circumstances. “When it’s all said and done, all our treasures will mean nothing, for only what we have done for love’s reward will stand the test of time”. So let us revive that concern, for that is the one thing that matters most.
