Oct. 2, Parable of the Covetous Rich Man

1st Prel. Listen to these words of Jesus, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness." (St. Luke 12: 15.)

2d Prel. Ask for grace to value highly your vow of poverty, and to be entirely faithful to it.

POINT I RICHES DO NOT MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY

CONSIDERATION.—"And one of the multitude said to Him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. But He said to him, Man, who hath appointed Me judge or divider over you? And He said to them, Take heed, and beware of all covetousness: for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth." (St. Luke 12: 13–15.)

APPLICATION.— By declining to enter into the personal question between the two brothers, our Lord teaches us, 1st. Not to interfere in our neighbor's temporal affairs, but to concern ourselves solely with his spiritual matters. Is this your practice? 2dly. To turn all such disputes to good account, by showing the nothingness of riches, their inability to make life either long or happy, and the certainty of losing them when death approaches. Happy are we if we can impress these truths upon the minds of men who are ignorant or careless of them. What a service we shall render them, especially if we can turn their thoughts to heavenly treasures! What effort have you made to do this?

AFFECTIONS.— Pray for the talents and graces necessary to enlighten and convert men, and to lead them to holiness.

RESOLUTIONS.— To remind those who are wholly occupied with the things of this world of the words of St. Augustine: "Quidquid æternum non est, nihil est." "Whatever is not eternal is nothing."

POINT II RICHES AS A CAUSE OF UNHAPPINESS

CONSIDERATION.— In illustration of the truths we have just considered, our Lord spoke this parable, "The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits; and he thought within himself, saying. What shall I do; because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thy rest, eat, drink, and make good cheer. But God said to him, Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee; and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (St. Luke 12: 16–21.)

APPLICATION.— What a picture this is of the fate, not only of the rich who are covetous, but of the rich in general! They are really miserable. Their life is passed in calculations, schemes, anxieties by day and night. "What shall I do? Shall I close with this, decide upon that?" Then follows uneasiness; if plans miscarry, bitter regret, sleepless nights, perhaps despair. The rich know no rest, seldom enjoyment. The more their wealth increases, the more do their cares; and when they are preparing to rest and enjoy it, death comes, and all is lost.

AFFECTIONS.— Let us testify our gratitude to God, who has called us to a state of life in which we may live happily contented with the gifts of Providence, and free from care for the future, and meet death without fear.

RESOLUTIONS.— To prove our gratitude by good works, and by fervor in the service of God.

POINT III RICHES OFTEN A CAUSE OF ETERNAL WOE

CONSIDERATION.— We should think less of riches if we reflected on the numbers who have been eternally ruined, not by them, but by the disorders they occasion. They turn away our hearts and thoughts from God and heaven; they choke our piety, make us neglect religious duties, and insensibly lead us into avarice, injustice, luxury, hardness of heart, and final impenitence. "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." (St. Luke 18: 24.) "They that will become rich, fall into . . . the snare of the devil." (1. Tim. 6: 9.)

APPLICATION.— Your vow of poverty shelters you from these perils; but while you rejoice at this, remember that it is not the vow, but that which the vow supposes, which will preserve you. It is fidelity to the rule of poverty, as your order understands it. Examine yourself minutely upon this point.

COLLOQUY with St. Matthew, who, being rich, became poor, in order to follow Christ.

ON SUDDEN DEATH

1st Prel. Listen to Jesus saying, "At what hour you think not;

the Son of Man will come." (St. Luke 12: 40.)

2d Prel. Ask for the grace of a sweet and holy death.

POINT I SUDDEN AND UNPROVIDED DEATH

CONSIDERATION.— The story of the rich man, and especially his sad end, had made a great impression. Our Lord took the opportunity to warn them against a surprise by death. "Be you then also ready; for at what hour you think not, the Son of Man will come." In fact, nothing is more common than sudden deaths. But are they such a great evil? Certainly not. Sudden death is often a grace, and saints have asked it of God as a favor, that they may escape those assaults which are common to a long and painful agony. It is not, then, sudden death alone which we should fear, but sudden and unprovided death—a sudden death in a state of mortal sin. Thus the Church does not bid us say, "A subitaneâ morte libera nos, Domine;" but "A subitaneâ et improvisâ morte," etc.

APPLICATION.— What should you do to make this prayer effectual? Never knowingly to remain in mortal sin. To do so would be temerity. Have you been guilty in this respect?

AFFECTIONS.— If you have been guilty, thank God, who, in His patient mercy, has waited for your repentance, and beg of Him to keep you always in His holy friendship.

RESOLUTIONS.— Should you have the misfortune to fall into grievous sin, seek to be reconciled with God without delay.