Thursday February 24, 2022

 Today's readings speak to me about rewards of the heart. A heart set on love of God and neighbour has no room for injustice; it honours those who seek to do good and respects the dignity of others. A heart set on love will build up what is true, kind and holy in our families, communities and world. Its reward is an abundance of these things now and in the life to come. Today's word tells us that a heart set only on wealth, prestige and dominance reaps a reward that lasts as long as one's short life on earth, but goes into the next life in great poverty, if not eternal punishment.

The Apostle James (Jas 5:1-6) has stern words for those who amass great wealth through injustice toward their neighbour. Their reward is as harsh as their oppressive practices:

“Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.

...Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.”

Psalm 49, written by David a thousand years before the Letter of James, says much the same thing:

“This is the way of those whose trust is folly, the end of those contented with their lot:
Like sheep they are herded into the nether world; death is their shepherd and the upright rule over them.
Quickly their form is consumed; the nether world is their palace.”

David has chooses the reward of seeking God over riches: “But God will redeem me from the power of the nether world by receiving me.”

David spent years in poverty on the run from King Saul, hiding in the mountains with his men, depending on the kindness of farmers and landowners to feed them. Anointed to rule, yet stripped of everything, he learned to rely totally on God's providential care. He became a man after God's own heart. He knew that living any other way was “folly” and destined for an afterlife of suffering.

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that kindness toward His disciples will be rewarded; those who corrupt children and persons with childlike hearts will suffer in the next life. We must remove from our lives whatever causes our hearts to stray from His Gospel, to save our souls:

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. ... And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. ...And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

The “worm [that] does not die” is gnawing remorse for changes not made and good not done.

The Gospel reading concludes with Jesus' words:

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”

What does it mean to be “salted with fire?” I believe this is the the work of the Holy Spirit, Who falls like fire to consume what is not of God and transform and restore willing hearts to live and work for the Father's Kingdom. I need this fire in my life. I need its rule and reign in my heart; it must flavour everything I am and do.

Come Holy Spirit, set my heart on fire with the salt of the Kingdom. I surrender my life to You today. Move me to let-go of all attachment to whatever strays from the Gospel – that I may live for what is true, good and holy, and help others do the same – to know the rewards Your inspired word promises in this life and in the next. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Link to Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022422.cfm