Eighteenth Sunday Ordinary Time
July 31, 2022 •
It is very difficult for us to distinguish between" wants" and "needs". . . We have so many basic needs, and if we seek to fulfill them in right order - and this is what the philosophers teach, the theologians of course too - then you'll find contentment in life. But we're constantly fed this lie that you need more. . . .
It's an important lesson we have to learn: to distinguish between necessity and want. And it's not always clear or obvious.
What did our Lord say to this young man who came to Him and said, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." . . . You'd think: wouldn't God want him to share? Does he really need all of that?
Our Lord's response is "Friend, who appointed Me your judge and arbitrator?" Here is the Lord Who has come to save the world and He's not going to get involved in this dispute.
So often, when we are convinced that we "need something" we go to God, and we pray - we're trying to be good Christians, spiritual people - so we pray. And we think that God agrees with our need. All I have to do is ask, and He's going to work it out. . . .
Why do we oftentimes assume that God's judgement will fit within ours in regard to wants and needs?
It's because we don't realize that ultimately, God doesn't care whether I have money or not. He doesn't. He cares whether having money or not having money will help me get to heaven. . . .
He is concerned with your soul. And He will use whatever external means He needs to help you stay close to Him.
In fact, the greatest needs of each one of us are not the needs of our body, but the needs of our soul. The body can die because Jesus can resurrect that. But if the soul dies - if its damned - its damned forever. We are immortal beings, you have remember this. . . . Once created, we live forever. So out of necessity, the greatest goods for us are the goods of our souls.
We have to stop making these assumptions in our prayers that "my" idea of what is necessary is truly best for my soul or the souls of others. . . . I learned long ago that I'm not in charge of my own life. I wasn't meant to be. I'm not my own god.
We need to pray for a deeper knowledge and understanding of the differences between needs and wants. To have the proper ordering of our needs. The needs of our soul - the highest. And then for the trust and the patience to endure whatever circumstances of our life that may be challenging or difficult, trusting that the Lord has a reason, a plan for it. Nothing can happen to His children apart from His will.
Eccl 1:2, 2:21-23; Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 17; Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21
Homily begins at 15:34