A story is told about a rich woman who unexpectedly died without leaving behind a last will and testament. Her children were bickering since each one of them wanted to have the biggest share of the wealth. Therefore, the once strong and loving sibling relationship became divided and distant and the reason behind it was their greed for material wealth.
Material wealth by itself is not bad because this can help our life in this world. This can also be our instrument in spreading the love and mercy of God. For example, we help somebody in need using our material wealth which is surely not bad. Material wealth becomes evil when we become greedy so that we allow it to possess and dictate upon us.
Accumulation
The gospel today is applicable for our times, where most of us seem obsessed with the idea of accumulating more and more possessions, as if the value of our life depends on how much we possess. The rich man in the gospel has a ‘me, me, me’ complex. He does not come across as wicked or evil but as selfish, greedy, preoccupied with himself to the exclusion of others.
Saint Ignatius
Saint Ignatius, whose feast we celebrate today, was a man on a mission who was not discouraged by losses in a battle. After the Battle of Pamplona, he had set his mind to follow Jesus and forsake the world. He had many ups and downs, but he persevered through them and laid the foundation for the Jesuit Order. Like other saints, St. Ignatius reminds us that Life is about God! If we have all the material wealth in this world yet we don’t have God in our life, our life is still empty and barren. For this reason, St. Ignatius extols God by his motto: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! For the greater of God! We glorify God and not the wealth of this world!
Holy Spirit, open my heart more fully to the love of God so that I will grow in my desire to know You better and serve You more fully in my life. Amen.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
What is your priority in this world: To have material wealth or to have Jesus in your life?
Sadly, this order has become full of men who seem to be greedy and follow the dictates of this modern materialistic world and not St.Ignatius’ or Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer.