Fr. John Ryan

 

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

5™ AUGUST

Ireland now has over 33000 millionaires. This statistic is considered by some commentators as a sign of the progression in the Irish economy. No doubt for those who have a million or more are quite content with their lot. However there are a lot of people who would find it hard to comprehend what it must be like to be comfortable financially. For many it is still a struggle to maintain the basics in life and the economic wealth we have enjoyed as a nation has not been passed down to all.
If there is a downturn it will be those on the poverty line or below it who will suffer most. If the problems with oil production envisaged comes to pass then the cost of all the basics will rise and those who are already struggling will be under severe pressure. If the mortgage interest rates continue to rise or we fall into a negative equity situation with regard to housing there will be many who will find themselves in dire straits or feeling trapped in situations they originally thought were transitory. Talk of the Stock Exchange and its ups and downs don't thrill many - it is seen as something for the business world and the rich. Over the last week in July there has been a sizeable fall in markets - does it have an affect on just a few or many? How many pension plans are tied into the Exchange, invested in shares? All these have been affected. If it rises of course then there will be a positive effect on the same plans.
So much of what we listen to is economic related. Decisions on all levels are made on economic grounds - even the discussion on the recognition of same sex couples seems to revolve around financial matters. Economics is the measuring tape of how modern society lives. What we own, what we have saved, how big our house is, they seem to be the yard stick of successful living.
When we tend to live our lives from this point of view the greater picture can be distorted. The real values that should underline our decisions are forgotten. The Preacher in the first reading today reminds us, in his own particular pessimistic way, that there is more to life than accumulating wealth. "Vanity of vanities... For so it is that a man who has laboured wisely, skilfully and successfully must leave what is his own to someone who has not toiled for it at all."
There are no pockets in a shroud - death is a leveller - the rich and the poor face the same end to life in this world. Riches do not make life secure. Riches do not protect from death and the measuring tape for the Lord is charity and justice. In this life we are called to look for the things that are in heaven. Our way of living must be based on the Lord's measuring tape. We are called to be spiritual millionaires. Have we 33000 of them in the country? In the Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium a complete chapter was handed over to the topic 'The Call to Holiness' - and the call to holiness is directed at all of us.
If we expect to enter into the glory of God then we must live and do all things 'for the greater glory of God' recognising that Christ is everything and is in everything.