Today’s readings offer us a profound lesson on what Christian prayer and living ought to be. The first reading presents us with a remarkably honest prayer of a man who understands the dangers of both abundance and deprivation. He asks God for neither riches nor poverty, but only what he truly needs. His prayer is that of moderation, integrity and complete dependence on God.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples to proclaim the good news of his Kingdom. He gives them authority over diseases and evil spirits, and with a striking instruction to travel lightly for the journey which is a clear demonstration that a disciple must learn to trust God rather than material possessions and human security. He must learn to pray and live rightly.
AN HONEST PRAYER BEFORE GOD
The prayer in the Book of Proverbs is remarkable for its wisdom and honesty. The writer asks God for two things: “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only the food I need.” (Proverbs 30: 7-8).
The prayer is deeply spiritual and powerful. The writer does not ask for extraordinary wealth, power or comfort. Neither does he romanticise poverty. He simply asks for what is necessary to remain faithful to God because he understands that both extremes can be dangerous to human life and spirituality.
Riches can create the illusion of self-sufficiency that when everything seems available, one can gradually focus on the gifts and forget the giver or provider. In truth, we experience that with our wealth, including our connections and influence. We put trust in them rather than God which is a great danger to our spiritual life.
Poverty, on the other hand, can place a person under undue pressure. This is because in desperation, one may be tempted to compromise principles, abandon integrity or take what does not belong to him to survive.
The prayer, therefore, is more about the condition of the human life than it is about possession. The writer wants enough to live faithfully without allowing either abundance or deprivation to separate him from God, and his prayer resonates with the prayer Christ taught us in our Father thus: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3).
JESUS MANDATE OF DETACHMENT
In the Gospel, Jesus sends out his disciples to proclaim the Good News. He gives them power and authority to heal and to confront evil. Yet, he remarkably tells them to take almost nothing for their journey: no staff, no bag, no bread, no money and no extra tunic. He wants them to live simply as to remain focused to the mission he has called them. This is because journeying with too many possession can be a distraction and a burden. They can occupy minds of the disciples to the detriment of the mission.
Besides, Christ wants us to be totally dependent on him because the mission is his and not ours. Therefore, our security should be found in him and not on our baggage or possessions. He wants us to travel light because a disciple who is excessively attached to possessions may find it difficult to follow Christ freely. But the person who trusts God has everything.
THE AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIFE
The prayer of the writer of Proverbs and the instruction of Jesus point us toward the same spiritual reality that God must be our security.
Christianity does not teach us that possessions are evil or that poverty is automatically virtuous. Rather, it teaches us to put everything in its proper place. Material acquisitions are useful and are blessings, but they must never become our master. Again, human relationships and institutions are valuable, but our ultimate confidence must remain in God. Our resources, talents, education, influence and opportunities should only be a means through which we serve God and neighbour in the world and nothing more.
CONCLUSION
May we learn how to acquire the skill to live simply with courage, detachment and trust in divine providence and to model our prayer as Christians thus: “Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches, but what I need to remain faithful to You’’, (Proverbs 30: 7-8). By so doing, we adhere to follow the instructions of Christ as a way of life.
Peace be with you.
