03/08/2025

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions.”

I, as I suspect, many of you know people who are wealthy – and miserable, depressed, and unhappy. The richest man on earth does not give the impression of delighting in life.

Just think of those PIES, the physical, intellectual emotional and spiritual dimensions of your life.

No amount of physical wealth on its own, will enhance your thinking, loving and relating with people and with God. Wealth attracts sycophants, toadies, and flatterers.

Many years ago, a man in the parish I was serving pretended to lose his fortune and become bankrupt. That trick enabled him to realise that in fact he had just three real friends who stuck with him and helped. Scores of others melted away.

Jesus came to enable us to live life to the full (Jn 10,10) and showed us how. The secret is living for others. Though I have no wealth, the more I give my time and energy to others, the more enriched I feel. And have authentic friends.

After all, in Luke’s gospel (6,38) we read, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap”.

Generosity generates abundance of friendships, joy and satisfaction.

We can offer a listening ear to someone who needs support, volunteer our time in your community, share our knowledge or skills to help others grow, express gratitude and appreciation to those around us and perform random acts of kindness, no matter how small.

Gratitude – identifying the gifts we have received and many still have , and looking after them, releases joy and peace within our hearts.