“Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money makes the world go round, go round. Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money makes the world go round, go round.” If you have ever seen “Cabaret” and heard this song, then you know how sad and decadent it depicts Nazi Germany in the years just before World War II. In itself, money is indifferent. The two questions that money poses for us are: “How does it affect us?” and “How do we use it?”
The letter of James tells us: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice” (James 3:16). In fact, St. Paul in 1 Timothy 6:10-11 says, “The love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. … Instead pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.” Paul does not condemn the rich. Rather, he warns all of us that the pursuit of wealth can be a source of temptation and lead to greed, envy, anger, stealing, injustice, jealousy or a preoccupation with material things.
St. Paul goes on to encourage Timothy and all preachers: “Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.” (1 Tim 6:17-19)
The true life is one modeled on Jesus, for He is the wisdom of God, the second Adam, who shows us how to be truly human. It is a life lived in the love of God and the love of neighbor.
As St. James tells us, “The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. “ (3:17-18). In the end, love alone can drive out fear, rivalry and prejudice.
Unfortunately, as the Book of Wisdom and Jesus tell us, there are those who are threatened by the wisdom of God. They find the Gospel obnoxious for it calls out greed and oppression, condemns licentiousness and jealousy, and calls all to care for those on the margins and those who are virtually voiceless in the halls of power. It was interesting to hear on the radio recently that the pharmaceutical industry and medical insurance corporations have more than 2,000 lobbyists in Washington, D.C. Given that our senators and representatives are that outnumbered, is it any wonder that we pay about twice as much for medicine and medical care than other industrialized nations, and that not all people are covered? How do we care for the common good? Some might say that this sounds like communism, but clearly they neither know what dialectical materialism is (the definition of communism), nor do they realize that Russia today is an oligarchy and the U.S.S.R. had bureaucratic socialism.
Catholic social teaching has for more than 130 years called us all to love our neighbors as ourselves in an interconnected world. Those who say “What does the Church know?” neglect to see how many Nobel prize-winning scientists and economists advise the pope and the Vatican through the various papal academies. The Church is simply adapting the message of the New Testament and the Church Fathers and Doctors to the present age. We are all asked to put aside selfishness and greed in order to respond to others’ needs, and to help all to live dignified lives as children of God and as our brothers and sisters.
Our call is to not fall into the trap that the apostles did before the Passion and Resurrection, when they argued over who was the greatest and who would sit at the right hand of Jesus in His kingdom. No, Jesus called on them and on us to serve one another: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
This is Jesus’ way, and it is a challenge to me and to you. We have to keep working on it.
Fortunately, Jesus is very patient and also offers us the grace to continue to grow in His ways. Because neither the Romans nor the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem could accept Jesus’ words and way of living, He was put to death. But as the New Testament tells us, Jesus is risen and, through the Holy Spirit, continues to work on earth through us, His Church, the Body of Christ.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to follow you. Help us to seek true riches – the riches that come from a life filled with love, a life that seeks to serve, not to be served. We know that we cannot do this alone. That is why you have given us your Spirit and our sisters and brothers in Christ. “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.” Amen.
Jesuit Father John Michalowski is the parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.