Selection of the sermons of Father Ezekiel Oko
where real wealth lies
It seems as if the texts we heard in the readings speak against wealth. "Breath of wind, breath of wind, said Kohelet, breath of wind, breath of wind, that is all breath of wind. … Then what does man get from all his possessions and the web of his spirit for which he strives under the sun?” So, this statement from today's first reading seems to speak against wealth. The parable that Jesus tells in the Gospel could also give the impression that people should no longer worry about their well-being. But it would be a misunderstanding to interpret these texts in this way. Money, wealth - like many other things in this world - are initially completely value-neutral. First of all, they are neither good nor bad. They get their meaning and value from people. The fundamental question the readings ask us is: What value do we give to our possessions - money, power, influence, etc.? What are we using these things for?
The fact that all we possess is a breath of wind does not mean, then, that we should no longer care about our well-being, but that we should not give our possessions the highest importance in life. Because true wealth does not consist in a person living in abundance because of his great wealth. True wealth is not in what one possesses, such as: money, power, influence, etc. The true richness of human life, dear sisters and brothers, is in the relationships in which man finds himself with God, with himself himself and with his fellow human beings. All other things are good insofar as they serve this true richness of human life. They will not pass like a breeze if we use them for this ministry. This then means that the possessions that do not serve these human relationships are only like a breath of air. In the Gospel, Jesus gives us two important pieces of advice:
- We are not to hoard treasure after treasure without serving others. The Lord asks each of us here personally: how do you actually deal with what you have? Possession, influence or also with your talents? what do you make of it Who do you serve with this? Nothing is right if I keep my possessions to myself, if I don't put them to work in the world, in my family, in my neighborhood, in the church, in the service of those around me. Jesus points out the importance of sharing what we have with others. This doesn't make us poorer, but richer. For what we share with others or use in the service of others is not only increased but preserved, forever for us.
- We should trust in God. Just understanding that nothing depends on ourselves helps us to trust in God who makes our efforts fruitful. All our effort would be meaningless if we didn't include God in it. For only in God can one find the meaning and context of one's labor. In the gospel, Jesus invites us to trust in God's presence in our lives and in his salvific action. This trust will relieve us of the fear of not having enough for our future and will allow us to be responsible with what we have. Thus, like faithful stewards, we can use our possessions, talents, etc. in the service of God's will. The Lord sees our goodwill and our effort.
Dear sisters and brothers, we can never have or do enough. When we make the possessions and troubles of this world the purpose of our lives, we are bound to be disappointed or frustrated. Because these things cannot fulfill our lives. God alone is enough for us. The relationship with him is the true richness that enriches our relationships with those around us. What we have or can do then serves these relationships. Let's pray that God will help us to desire true riches.
Overview