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[__01__] Are you focused on the present moment or on the future?
Jesus our Lord uses a parable – the
rich man and Lazarus to focus us on the future, our future salvation, eternal
life.
Here is an everyday example of getting
something good, truly good, by focusing on the future. This example was written
by a father in a book called “Thank you for Arguing”
[__01__] This
is the story of a father and his 17-year old son.
The father also teaches about “public speaking / rhetoric.”
His son uses some of the father’s technique.
The father related went into the family’s one and only
bathroom, on a Saturday morning, and did so strategically timed because his
17-year-old son was eating breakfast and the bathroom was available. Upon
entering, he noticed they were out of toothpaste and called out loudly, “Who
used up all the Colgate, the toothpaste?”
The 17-year old son came to the door and very intelligently
said, “Dad, the important thing is not who used up all the toothpaste, but how can
we prevent this from happening next time ?”
The father conceded and obtained the desired toothpaste.
There was another tube of Colgate in the house and the son retrieved it. The
son won the argument, but it was really a win win. (Book: Thank
you for Arguing, by Jay Heinrichs)
[__03__] Why did the son win the argument? Because he
focused the future (not the present only).
The teacher/father is Jay Heinrichs.
His book is called “Thank you for Arguing…”
His point is that the best arguments
are not about the past or even the present, but about the future.
[__04__] Telling this parable to the
fashion-conscious Pharisees, Jesus did directly shame them, but was asking them
and you and me to be future-focused.
The Rich Man of the parable had 3
things which were all good in and of themselves.
[__05.01__] [1st
- FINE CLOTHES / what was he dressed up in ?] I’m sure you do not actually “worship” your
wardrobe of clothes, but nevertheless the way we dress and present ourselves –
whether we dress formally or informally – is a statement of who we are and who
we hope to be.
In the Bible, fine clothes can be a
good thing and really signify a positive connection to God. Adam and Eve – for
example – receive the gift of clothing from God after their fall from grace.
Their clothing became an ever-present reminder of God’s love.
In the Prodigal Son parable (2 weeks
ago), the younger/prodigal son is bankrupt and in tattered rags for garments,
and he is embraced by his father with the “finest robe”.
We are all judged by our clothes.
Sometimes, this is presented too legalistically in terms of inches and
measurements, but the question – for every girl and boy – woman and man – and
the rich man of the parable – is what message is being sent by the clothes I
wear? What do my clothes say about what I am and what I hope to be ?
Because, regardless of what we ear
..when we come back to God, God wants to wrap us, clothe us in his grace and
love, for the future…
[__05.02__] [2nd
– FORTUNE / FINANCES / what was he depending on?]
The rich man is depending on his
finances, on his money.
By the way, just a reminder which many
of you know the warning of Saint Paul is not “money is the root of all evil.”
But, rather, the “the love of money is
the root of all evil.”
Are you concerned with winning money,
gaining money? You may want to take out
your phone now and check the stock market.
Of course, every one of us would
rather win than lose, or gain rather than lose money, see our assets go up
rather than down.
The question is –what are we depending
on? The rich depends on his money to save him. He can’t take it with him.
These days, there are many
opportunities to enjoy money and apparently enjoyable ways to make money or win
money.
Due to new / permissive laws about
online gambling, there are more ways to bet. And, isn’t it true that every time
you watch the Yankees or Mets play baseball, or football, or professional
golf that you are seeing commercial for
these services. The message is that your enjoyment of the game will be enhanced
by betting on the game.
Evidently, these online gambling companies
are very familiar with human psychology and original sin.
The love of money is the root of all
evil. Of course, winning money is good,
but it’s also possible to have too much of a good thing. It’s also possible to be too dependent on a
good thing.
The rich man has a love of money – or
to use the ancient Aramaic word – he has a love for “mammon”.
[__05.03__] [3rd
– FOOD / what was his desire?] We read that the man dines sumptuously each
day.
And, that he has too much of a good
thing. What’s the deal here? Is his A1-C too high? Does have too little “good cholesterol” and too much “bad cholesterol”?
What is the meaning of food in the
Bible ?
Food – and eating – is critical to
communication of the Biblical message of the covenant and love.
Jesus says and the priest repeats his
word as a model…take this all of you and eat and …do this in remembrance of me. The Eucharist is our food.
But, what are we nourished on?
One thing we all “crave” and “desire”
and may feel hungry for is to be esteemed and valued by others. We all need
affirmation.
Is it not safe to say that this rich
man of the parable would have enjoyed the esteem – the positive evaluation –
many in his community? Jesus is directing this parable at many of the high and
mighty Pharisees but we can also behave in the same way. For no one wishes to
be “diskliked” or “devalued” by others.
We can get too much of a good thing if
being popular is really our goal, and what we are craving…
[POPULARITY] We are also called to withdraw from
situations and scenes and relationships that we engage in only to make
ourselves more popular, or more well liked. I'm guilty of this, of
participating in or investing in friendships and conversations with those who
make me feel good those who make me feel popular, or avoiding people who
challenge me. I'm investing in dishonest wealth. As the saying goes, put your
money where your mouth is, put your money where God is, don't put your money
where Mammon is, you cannot serve both God and mammon.
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