Tag Archive for: Wealth

Seemingly makes the difference

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Armodoxy for Today: Seemingly

In the eight chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes a pronouncement that, had he been concerned about ratings as would a politician, he would have certainly be abandoned by the crowd. After sharing a few parables he warns the listener, “Take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” It’s the words that political opponents accused each other with: The rich get richer and the poor get poor. “…Whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

But Jesus does not allow for a debate on this statement, and so he adds a qualifier, “seems to have” makes all the difference.

Material wealth is and always has been an illusion because it is not permanent. The intrinsic value of an object or an amount of money is the dependent on the circumstances in which it exists. A million dollars in the bank is a “1” with six zeros behind it. There is no intrinsic value to it, until it is spent. It can buy an object, a house, a car, an education, health care, all things that give that 1+six 0’s its value.

Today we are challenged to look within and at our lives. What are the things that we truly possess? And things that we seem to possess? Are they things that can be taken away? And what are the things that are impossible to take away from us? An education? Faith? Belief?

Because of the constant displacement of the Armenian people, along with the ransacking of their homes, churches and institutions, Armodoxy arrives today with an understanding of are the true treasures? As Jesus directs us,  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.1 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

From the Book of Hours, we pray, “O Lord, do not turn Your face from us. Benevolent Lord, we ask You, be our helper. Send us Your angel of peace who will come and protect us from temptations. Almighty Lord our God, save and have mercy upon us.”

The Pope’s Delicate Balance

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Armodoxy for Today: The Pope’s Delicate Balance

A big problem in the Church is reconciling the disparity between the lowly figure of the leader of our Faith, namely Jesus, and the large amount of wealth that can accumulate in the church coffers. I remember early in my ministry hearing about a protestant congregation in Walnut Creek that had a multi million dollar annual budget, yet they started each year and ended each year with only $2,000 in the bank. I remember thinking that that was truly a model of a Church, in other words, they spent what they took in, on ministry. Still, the idea of a dynamic ministry implies that it is changing and invites novel and innovative ideas to fulfill its mission. With the dreams, comes the need for funding. Hence,   the plight of non-profits, whether church or secular organization, is defined by donations from people who believe in the cause.

The model of Church operations is conducive to the accumulation of finances, as donors and contributors set endowments and trusts to take care of the needs of the church for years (or centuries) to come. In the case of the Church, as the Body of Christ, the words of Jesus, not to worry about material wealth, that God takes care of the birds and flowers, and how much more he will take care of us, cannot go unnoticed. And so, a delicate balance must be met twixt what is necessary to function and spending what has been provided. And those in leadership positions within the Church struggle to find that balance and make sure they don’t fall.

And so, it was truly refreshing when Pope Francis, of Blessed Memory, became the head of a two-thousand year old Roman Catholic Church, opted to travel the path of humility and live a modest lifestyle as was his custom from his days as the Prelate of Argentina.

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. One such picture was taken when Pope Francis washed the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday, in strict observance of Jesus’ command to follow the Divine example from the night of the Last Supper (see John 13). But the picture captured something more, when the Pope bent over and kissed the feet of the convicts.

The Pope goes by titles such as Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the Servants of God, and His Holiness. That kiss spoke volumes about the person and his understanding of wealth and his responsibility as head of the Church.

His humility is, arguably, his greatest legacy.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for replenishing Your Holy Church with the servants who lead by example. Accept the offerings of all, and in the offering of humility by Pope Francis, may I find an example to live for others with my life. Amen.