Memorial of St. Pius X, pope
(Ezekiel 28:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30)
Warren Buffet, a very rich man, holds a seminar every year for businesspersons in Omaha, his hometown. People from all over the world flock to the city to hear his pearls of financial expertise. While there, they go to Gorat’s Steakhouse, Buffet’s favorite restaurant, and eat his supposedly favorite meal, T-bone steak and hash browns. They will do most anything -- rational or irrational -- to become rich like Mr. Buffet. Both readings today testify that these devotees are taking a perilous course.
Both Ezekiel and Jesus relate the wisdom from ancient times. Wealth may glitter, but it is not the gold that humans should seek. More likely than bringing one peace, it makes the person haughty and contentious, far from, not close to, the Lord. It is better to seek the Kingdom of God by living honest, humble lives of service.
But perhaps the current generation is better characterized by consumption than by wealth. Young people want to make a lot of money so that they may spend it on all sorts of comforts and conveniences. It leads to the same downfall as the quest for accumulation of wealth. Choosing another option, we should use our resources to become wiser and to assist others in the development of spirit.
