Blog: The Rich and the Poor - Sept. 30, 2013

The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Reading I:  Numbers 11:25-29

Psalm:  19

Readings II:  James 5:1-6

Gospel: 
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48


This week I am going to focus on the second reading, an Epistle from Saint James. The Epistles were letters written to the faithful to encourage them in their practice of the faith and to provide correction, when needed. They were read to the faith communities as they are read to us at Mass today.

Observing how some were accumulating riches and living in luxury while others were suffering in poverty,  St. James warns the rich that justice will ultimately prevail when we meet our Maker. If, because of circumstances or talent, people are able to accumulate large amounts of money and/or assets, St. James asserts that they have an obligation to share their wealth with those less fortunate.

A modern day example of following this teaching is the family of Saint Katharine Drexel. Although they were very wealthy, they considered themselves to be simply stewards of their wealth. It was a gift to be shared with those in need. However, they made sure that their daughters not only were taught to share, but also to get to know those whom they helped personally.

Several times a week, their mother gave money for food, clothing, rent, etc. to
the African Americans living in their area. It was shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation had been passed and the freed slaves had little education. Therefore, they often found it difficult to find jobs. Some actually went back to work for their former slaveholders in order to survive. Katharine and her sisters helped their mother to give out the aid and learned to talk with and get to know those
seeking help.

The missionaries on Indian Reservations often approached the Drexels for assistance in building churches and schools, as well as providing for the basic necessities for their people. When they were young women, the daughters traveled West and visited the missions that the family had helped.  Again they made direct contact with the people. That contact enabled the young Drexel women to see the humanity in all peoples and inspired the three sisters to continue the tradition of sharing with those in need.

Katharine actually gave up her life and inheritance to become the first Sister of
the Blessed Sacrament with special outreach to Native Americans and African Americans. The Community she founded sought to uplift and remind people that we are all the children of our Heavenly Father.  Therefore, we all have a right to be proud of  “who we are and whose we are.” The Sisters, their Associates, alumni, partners, and friends continue this mission today.

 Reflection Question:  We all have riches to share.  Whether it is money, talent, service, or simple acts of kindness, we are called to reach out to all our brothers and sisters.  Is there someone who needs my gifts today?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

The Rich and the Poor

Esta semana me voy a centrar en la segunda lectura, una Epístola de Santiago. Las Epístolas fueron cartas escritas a los fieles para alentarlos en su práctica de la fe y para proporcionar corrección, cuando sea necesario. Fueron leídos a las comunidades de fe tal como nos las leen hoy en la misa.

Al observar cómo algunos acumulaban riquezas y vivían en el lujo mientras otros sufrían en la pobreza, Santiago advierte a los ricos que la justicia finalmente prevalecerá cuando nos encontremos con nuestro Creador. Si, debido a circunstancias o talento, las personas pueden acumular grandes cantidades de dinero y / o activos, St. James afirma que tienen la obligación de compartir su riqueza con los menos afortunados.

Un ejemplo moderno de seguir esta enseñanza es la familia de Santa Catalina Drexel. Aunque eran muy ricos, se consideraban simplemente administradores de su riqueza. Fue un regalo para compartir con los necesitados. Sin embargo, se aseguraron de que a sus hijas no solo se les enseñara a compartir, sino también de conocer a las personas a quienes ayudaron personalmente.

Varias veces a la semana, su madre les daba dinero para comida, ropa, alquiler, etc. a los afroamericanos que vivían en su área. Poco después se aprobó la Proclamación de Emancipación y los esclavos liberados tenían poca educación. Por lo tanto, a menudo les resulta difícil encontrar trabajos. Algunos realmente volvieron a trabajar para sus antiguos esclavistas para poder sobrevivir. Katharine y sus hermanas ayudaron a su madre a dar la ayuda y aprendieron a hablar y conocer a quienes buscan ayuda.

Los misioneros en las reservas indias a menudo se acercaron a los Drexels
para obtener ayuda en la construcción de iglesias y escuelas, así como en la satisfacción de las necesidades básicas de su gente. Cuando eran mujeres jóvenes, las hijas viajaron al oeste y visitaron las misiones que la familia había ayudado. Nuevamente hicieron contacto directo con la gente. Ese contacto permitió a las jóvenes mujeres de Drexel ver la humanidad en todos los
pueblos e inspiró a las tres hermanas a continuar la tradición de compartir
con los necesitados.

Katharine en realidad renunció a su vida y herencia para convertirse en la
primera Hermana del Santísimo Sacramento con especial alcance a los nativos americanos y afroamericanos. La Comunidad que fundó buscó elevar y recordar a las personas que todos somos hijos de nuestro Padre Celestial. Por lo tanto, todos tenemos derecho a estar orgullosos de “quiénes somos y de quiénes somos”. Las hermanas, sus asociados, ex alumnos, socios y amigos continúan esta
misión hoy.


  Pregunta de reflexión:   Todos tenemos riquezas para compartir. Ya sea dinero, talento, servicio o simples actos de bondad, estamos llamados a acercarnos a todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas. ¿Hay alguien que necesite mis regalos hoy?

September 25, 2016 - The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Reading I: Amos 6: 1a, 4-7

Response: Psalm 146

Reading II:  1 Timothy 6: 11- 16

Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31


Is there anything wrong with being rich?  Jesus seems to focus on the dangers of being rich. He says that it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Of course, the “needle” is not a sewing needle.  However, even though he is referring to a narrow passageway in the mountains through which shepherds and herders needed to lead their animals, we wonder why he stresses this.   

It seems obvious that we need to share with those who are needy. But, there seems to be more to it. Eleanor Stump, professor of philosophy at St. Louis University, sheds some light on this when she points out the words used in the Gospel. When the rich man is in hell, he asks the Lord to send Lazarus, who is resting in the bosom of the Lord, to get him some water to quench his thirst.  When the Lord refuses, the rich man asks God to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them about the folly of riches. The Lord refuses again. Why? Perhaps the Lord is reacting to the rich man’s basic attitude of seeing Lazarus as only useful to him. He doesn’t consider him a brother, as an equal. Rather he chooses only to use him for his own purposes. Even the dogs lick the wounds of Lazarus as they do for themselves and one another. They have compassion and try to heal him. 

The rich who are poor in spirit reach out and share with the poor. The poor recognize those who have a superior attitude and those who see them as brothers and sisters. At the 125th jubilee celebration for the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Curtis J Guillory, SVD, of the Beaumont, Texas Diocese, shared his experiences with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. He made a comment which touched me. He said that the Sisters “engaged” with the people. In other words, they became a part of the people with whom they ministered. They realized that they were enriched themselves by the poor they served.

Another view is expressed by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. He reminds us that for our own physical,
psychological and spiritual health, we need to share. Our Native American brothers and sisters have retained that generosity of spirit by some of their customs. For example, when I young man has success hunting a deer, the family has a “deer supper.” I was invited to one by one of our Pueblo Sisters from Laguna, New Mexico. Before the meal the skull of the deer was placed on a side table. The mother of the young hunter blessed her son and thanked the deer for giving its life to feed the people. Then, everyone in the village and friends were invited to partake in the meal. They took turns eating in silence and moved on so others could have a place at the table. While waiting for a turn at the table, people were watching a ballgame on TV and chatting. It was like two worlds in one house.

Another custom is that on birthdays, the one being celebrated is the giver of gifts. Of course, in today’s world they probably receive gifts also. However, the custom reminds them that they are
here to share with others also. On special holy days, they have “throws.” Items like candy, blankets, etc. are thrown from flat adobe rooftops for anyone to take.  

A real challenge comes when a relative is in financial need, e.g. because of alcohol or drug problems. The expectation is that the relative with some resources will provide for the needy one. Therefore, it is difficult for them to save for future needs of their own family. Nevertheless, they do have the sense that accumulating too much is unhealthy.

It is healthy to share because it prevents one from becoming too self-centered. One of the first things that many mothers teach their small children is to share treats that they receive and to share their toys. That can be a difficult lesson, but an important one. Young people who are encouraged to do some type of service to help others experience a sense of pride and joy. It feels good and is a wonderful experience for them and those they help. That is good for people of all ages. God our Father and Jesus know what we need for a healthy and happy life. It is not to hold tightly onto wealth. Rather it is to share our time, talent, and treasures with our brothers and sisters.