Discovering Wealth to Share
May 27th, 2021
“To find generosity, we must first recognize our own wealth and the particular needs of others that these might meet.”
It has become clearer to me, not just over the years, but very specifically in these days as I prepare to pack up my life and move, that generosity depends on inner awareness. Perhaps more clearly put, we cannot share ourselves with the world until we become more aware of who we are and the gifts that we have.
Too often when we speak about sharing our wealth with those who are impoverished, our minds go to financial assets. And while this is important, each of us is called to know our own wealth of gifts and to find and notice those who might be most in need of what we have to offer.
Anyone who has “packed a house” realizes that they possess things, about which they have completely forgotten. Some of these things may well be valuable to others. I find myself thinking, “this might be great to have one day.” I also know that if it disappeared forever, I would never miss it (or even notice it was gone).
This is also true of the gifts we possess that aren’t quite so physical.
Intellect, compassion, creativity, vision, empathy, insight or inner-peace (just to name a few) are all qualities that can go unnoticed in our own lives and yet, there may be others who could benefit greatly if we’d share.
Sometimes what holds us back from sharing is simply that we have been taught not to recognize how much we have. It seems egotistical to recognize your own talents too often or voice that you have something to offer. But until we can do exactly that, there’s very little chance of us generously sharing the best of who we are with those who might benefit the most.
In the weeks ahead I really hope to continue my newfound “online ministry“ and keep with video reflections, although I’m not exactly sure how this will look. To do that I’m going to adjust expectations a little. I won’t be including recordings of music each week, although I do hope from time to time to share music as I write. I also hope to simply share songs from other sources that I’ve enjoyed over the years. I will keep you informed as I figure things out. (I can’t quite see all of the path ahead, but that’s fine. Usually I don’t see most of the details until I’ve started walking!)
God Bless and be well,
Fr. Pat
Fr. Pat
Mark 10:17-27
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
No song this week
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