Today, Paul continues to give the example of Abraham’s faith as a model for all of us (Romans 4:20-25). One might wonder why he devotes so many words to Abraham, but we must remember that he was seen as the father of God’s people, including us, and that he was looked up to as a model of good behavior that won God’s favor. “No distrust made him waver concerning the promises of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do all that He promised.” All that happened in his life he saw as the work of God and not of himself. Through his faith, Abraham gave glory to God.
When the father of the epileptic boy came to Jesus to heal his son, Jesus told him: “All things can be done for the one who believes” (Mark 9:23). Paul, too, could boast of his weaknesses. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philemon 4:13). This is the kind of faith that is the sign of real ‘uprightness’, real goodness. It is not the self-generated ‘goodness’ that is no real goodness at all. As Jesus told his disciples at the Last Supper: “… apart from me, you can do nothing (John 15:5).
It was in this surrendering of himself, against all apparent reason, into God’s hands that was Abraham’s “justice”, his being made right with God. This is not moral rightness but a total harmony of relationships, a union of heart and mind.
What is true of Abraham is true for us. Our genuine goodness will be measured by the level of our faith and trust in the God who gives us strength. As Abraham was made right with God because he believed in a God who brought life from the dead, so we will be justified because: “It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, who was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.”
This is the source of our “justification”, of our being “made right” with God: that we totally give ourselves to Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, who died and was raised to life so that we might share that life with him.” Likewise, we go to God in faith through our intimate following of Jesus, joining him in suffering, death, and resurrection.
God may seem at times to be calling us to do the impossible. But our faith helps us to see that God works in everything and through everything. Apart from Abraham, there are many other examples in the lives of Christians, especially some of the great saints. We should follow in their footsteps.
We move on now, in Luke, to more immediate concerns of the Christian life (Luke 12:13-21). Today’s topic is about the perennial question of money, or rather, the love of money. A man in the crowd said to Jesus: “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” According to Mosaic Law, the eldest son received double that of the younger sons. When disputes inevitably arise, the brothers would go to the rabbi for resolution. Since Jesus was a rabbi, the man reasoned, he would willingly act as intermediary between the brothers. But estates were the kind of problems in which Jesus was not remotely interested, and he refused to get involved. One wonders how interested Jesus is when we make novenas to win lotteries or when we ask God to help us get our hands on the wealth of a rich and elderly aunt!
Jesus does take the opportunity, however, to make some general remarks against all kinds of greed. A man may be wealthy, he says, but his possessions do not guarantee him life. Life comes with freedom, peace, and happiness. Money cannot buy these things. There is no evidence, Jesus argues, that rich people enjoy more freedom, more peace or more happiness. Their marriages do not last any longer. They do not bring up better children. They do not necessarily enjoy better health.
At this point Jesus speaks a telling parable. A farmer, who is already rich, has a bumper harvest. It is so big that he decides to pull down his existing barns to build larger ones. He then stores his newfound wealth, the bountiful harvest, in those new barns. He smugly says to himself: “My boy, you have riches in reserve for years to come. Relax! Put your feet up. Eat heartily. Drink well. Enjoy yourself.” That very night God came to him. “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.”
What happens now to all his piled-up wealth? You can’t take it with you. “How much did he leave?” was asked about a billionaire who died. “Every red cent,” was the reply. When the farmer met his God, what had he brought with him? Little or nothing. When St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) died, how much do you think she brought? One feels she brought a great deal. And she also left behind a great deal to enrich the lives of those left to continue their lives.
What is my attitude about money and wealth? If I were to die now, what could I bring with me to present to God? And what will I leave behind, apart from cash and possessions? All of us can be rich in God’s sight and it does not require any money. Someone has said that the really rich are not those who have the most but those whose needs are the least. Read Luke 12:22-34, where Jesus spells out a recipe for a life free from anxiety, the life which He Himself lived.
What we need most is the ability to reach out in love, the love that builds and makes life better for others. That is the message we should take away from yesterday’s celebration of World Mission Sunday. Think of what good parents leave behind in children whose lives are dedicated to making this world a better place. Or teachers who have helped young people to devote themselves to service of the community. We should endeavor to create communities where people look after each other. In such communities everyone gives, everyone gets.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!