As we approach Holy Week, I keep thinking of a comment made to me recently about the wealth of the Church. Whether that wealth is in the ornate buildings bequeathed to us from past generations or in the ownership of land and financial assets the point made applies just the same. The thought shared with me was that the Church cannot expect to be blessed with vibrant life until it gives away all it has for the benefit of the poor.
There are all sorts of arguments used to defend the protection of our assets but they are rather hollow in the context of this coming week. As Parliament has tackled the question of assisted dying, we have been reminded that our life is the greatest asset we have; a week tomorrow we will remember again that the Son of God and Son of Man gave away his greatest asset on the cross, spent the ensuing day and three quarters in limbo before regaining his life and the lives of all who really believe in him.
To have the asset of our life enhanced and made eternal we have only to trust in God and let go of our gold and silver. Doing so is difficult and conflicts with our natural urge to provide for those dependent on us and preserving material things, or so we think.
As we make our way through Holy Week this year let us reflect on our wealth and question whether or not our relationship with it is healthy.
A Prayer
Generous God, we confess our failure to believe in your generosity and to hold on to assets we do not need and that could be spent for the good of others. Help us to evaluate honestly our gold and silver and let go of more than feels comfortable when you guide us to do that, for Jesus Christ’s sake and remembering what he gave up for us. Amen.