Homily for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Our Gospel today may seem to speak against wealth, but one can argue that God does not have a problem with our success. The book of Psalms prayed that God would "prosper the work of our hands."

From Jesus' teachings, we understand that our wealth, gifts, and the fruits of our labor can be powerful tools for good.

We live in a society teeming with possessions, schedules, and empty busyness; many are overwhelmed with pursuing more and building larger "barns" to store more. To be people of faith and genuine disciples of Jesus, we must empty ourselves of our stuff and busyness to create a place and a time for God to dwell and fill. The most tragic kind of poverty is the emptiness of a life filled with things but possessing nothing of God.

Christ calls us to think of what is above — love, forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and gratitude — the gifts God has generously bestowed upon us. Let us embrace this priceless, wonderful life and learn to love one another as God loves us.