Wealth and the Kingdom of God

Homily for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

The first twenty-four chapters of the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel are directed at the rebellious children of Israel. Ezekiel joins with all the other prophets of Israel in warning them of their impending doom because of their rebellion.

Chapters twenty-five to thirty-two are directed at several of the nations that surround Israel: Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Egypt. Almost three full chapters in this section are directed at Tyre and its Prince. The Prince of Tyre was considered the epitome of human success. His city was a wealthy seaport which controlled most of the trade in the Mesopotamian crescent. Because of the city’s wealth, the Prince of Tyre considered himself a god who controlled the various kingdoms that surrounded him.

There have been many rich men and women in human history. They have all come to the same end. Because they are human beings, they have all died. While some of the more recent wealthy people are still remembered, eventually their names fade from human memory much the same as the name of the Prince of Tyre who, even though Ezekiel devotes several chapters to him and his city, is not even named. As the psalmists constantly remind us, wealthy people and poor people and even the beasts all die.

The Gospel for today also speaks of wealth and its futility. In speaking of it, Jesus uses it to return to one of the most prevalent themes of the Gospel; namely, the reversal of fortunes. As has been said over and over again, the cross of Jesus has turned the world upside down. This particular stretch of days in the month of August features the feasts of St. Stephen the King of Hungary, St. Beatrice de Silva, the daughter of the count of Vienna, and St. Louis IX, king of France, three wealthy people who are known for their faith rather than for their wealth. So it is possible for wealthy people to enter the kingdom of God. However, in order to do so, they had to forget about their wealth and power and become dependent upon God. Indeed, nothing is impossible with God.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator