Fr Ed Homily 7-26-20

That’s What I Was Always Told

Wisdom. I wonder. Do we have any wisdom today? There is a lot happening that doesn’t make sense. Or is it common sense? Let’s take a look at the wisdom that we grew up with. From the very beginning, we were taught get a good job. Save your money. Get a house and a good car. As parents, we tried to help our children do better than we did. And with hard work and sweat you will be able to take it easy and enjoy life as you get older. It is the quality of life that is important.

Isn’t this the wisdom of our culture? Then why is it being challenged today. If you look up wisdom in the dictionary; knowledge of what is right coupled with just judgement, how do we know what is right? There are so many voices telling us what is right. The right clothes, the right food, the right workout, the right school, the right house, to ad nauseum. And we are told if we fail at any one of these we are out. So much for just judgement.

To have everything right for everyone means everyone must have the same opportunities. I know people will challenge me on this. The first thing I hear is ‘well I worked for what I got’. Really? If we were to sit down and compare what you started with what others start with it would open our eyes. Either you would have to give up something or give something to the people who don’t have something to put us on a level field of opportunity.

So maybe we don’t want to go down that path. Alright, let’s look at the other comment. Everything I have I worked for, I earned it. No, you did not. Everything you have God gave you. He gave you the opportunities. He gave you abilities. He put you in a country that has an abundance of natural resources. You have more that 98% of the people in the world. You got it not because of what you did but because God put you in this land of opportunity.

You own the field that has the great treasure. You have found the pearl of great value. So, I think this verse from the Bible should cause us to rethink wisdom. From those to whom much is given, much is expected. We would all be wise to plan ahead. Spend some time with God today.

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.