Wealth beyond Money
Introduction
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Story of treasure hunter – he was given only 10
minutes inside the cave to collect as much as he can – he could not come out of
the cave in 10 minutes because of the heaviness of the collected gold and diamonds.
He was trapped inside the cave and never came out.
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The new version of the story can be of a rich
father and his four male children. The father was in his late 50s and
considering himself as a rich fool. He had plenty of wealth but all the four
boys were so detached from home and always quarreling. Among them three were alcoholics.
The rich man could accumulate wealth but ignored the biggest wealth, his family
and children.
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The story of the rich man in today’s gospel, who
was over attached to material wealth repeats at present in very many ways.
Content
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We live in a materialistic world where “matter”
is considered to be everything. Money decides the rest of the things.
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We divide the nations into developed and
developing. It is based purely on economic basis. But what is the real
development? Is it only the growth in material things?
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According to paper encyclical ‘rerum novarum’ by
Pope Leo XIII, the development should be based on integral development. If that
is the case the Asian countries are much more developed than the Europeans
because we have happiness, compassion and love of God and neighbor in our culture.
We are more spiritually oriented as we see people flock in the worshiping places.
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An example of a developed person is Francis of Assisi.
He did not have any material wealth. But he was one of the happiest persons at
his times.
Conclusion
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What is important? It is explained in today’s gospel
o
Give first place to God in our everyday life.
o
Obey his commandments and
o
Follow his ways.
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If we put our trust on perishable things we will
be disappointed someday. Instead, if we put our trust and faith in God we will
be satisfied. Then we will have the joy and happiness that nobody can take away
from us..
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