23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus said, “Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
Possessions when shared and used according to the will of God are good. But when we allow our possessions to possess us, then possessions become dangerous. The words of Jesus in the gospel today remind us of the dangers that possessions can bring.
1. Possessions can give us false security.
When one has everything one needs, one feels safe, secured. One is not in want. One is not in need. One is self-sufficient. One is independent. But like every material thing, this security is fleeting. This security does not last. This security can be gone with a flick of a finger; an unfortunate accident, or theft, or unexpected loss. Possessions will not always be with us. They cannot be with us beyond the grave. Happiness does not necessarily come with wealth. Contentment does not automatically come with abundance. No amount of material riches can secure for us eternal life.
2. Selfishly holding on to material possessions can isolate a person from God and from the community.
An abundance of possessions would need an amount of defending. And so comes gated homes, high rise walls, security guards, cctv’s, sniffing dogs, guns and more defensive barriers that block off possibilities for relationship, community life and interaction. Material wealth makes one believe that one needs nobody, not even the Lord. Material possessions make one distrust other people who seemed out to get what one has. Possessions can make one alone, isolated and lonesome.
My dear friends, there is bad news and good news here. The bad news is no one is exempted in facing these dangers. These dangers are all around us. But the good news is we can overcome them. We can fight them. We can win over them by looking at our possessions as gifts and graces from the Lord and using them according to his will.
Sa madaling sabi, huwag hayaang maghari-harian ang inyong ari-arian. Tayo ang may-ari. Kaya’t gamitin natin sa paraang makakabuti sa atin, sa paraang ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.
