In the midst of a political upheaval in our own country, with a few leaders on the world stage that are acting like bullies, there are some timely words that God has for us in these Scripture readings today. He addressed both in the readings we heard at mass today. To the political bullies and to those who have no need of God since money has become their god, the psalm response from the Book of Deuteronomy had a reminder for both, “It is I who deal death and give life."
In a message God asked Ezekiel to deliver to the Prince of Tyre, God told the prince, you say you are a god, but you are just a man. Yes, you are intelligent, you possess wisdom both of which brought you wealth and prosperity, but instead of being grateful you have grown arrogant so much so that you even regard yourself an equal of God. You will meet with destruction.
Jesus would later comment about wealth and possessions and the challenge they present. The image of the camel passing through the eye of a needle was appropriate given that camels were used primarily for transporting goods along trade routes. Jesus was simply reminding His disciples to turn to God for help along the spiritual journey.
Peter, for his part, believed he needed to remind Jesus how much he and the other apostles sacrificed to follow Him and told Jesus, “We have sacrificed, what’s in it for us?”
I can picture Peter asking this of Jesus and Jesus responding, you are correct, Peter. I am aware of all you have done and are doing. I am aware of the generosity of many for whom to give is more blessed than to receive.
One example of such generosity would be the example of Saint Stephen of Hungary, whose memorial we celebrate today. Stephen was crowned the first king of Hungary around the year 1000. He, his wife, and son were all venerated in Hungary. In a letter of advice to his son, Emeric, Stephen said:
Be humble, in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never bring disgrace upon anyone.
Stephen died in 1038, a mortal who demonstrated that with God all things are possible including possessing humility, compassion and justice, while also possessing wealth and power.
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