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Bulletin PostsFr. Jay LettersThe 23rd Times

October 13th, 2024 | The 23rd Times

By October 8, 2024No Comments

A Message from Fr. Jay

Dear Friends,

You might be familiar with some of the news reports of the Offshore leaks, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers. These are a few major revelations of worldwide scandals of hidden wealth of a few rich people who cheat taxes and accumulate wealth through unethical ways. Every time we hear about such scandals, it gets to our nerves and says that such people should be punished and made accountable! The second reading says, ‘No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render account’.

In the gospel, Jesus admires the rich man for his righteous acts and suggests an opportunity to find the real treasure that he seemed to be seeking. Unfortunately, his quest was limited, not genuine, rather very complacent with existing Jewish belief that richness and wealth come from God Himself. He did not want to sacrifice or lose anything. While possessions give comfort and happiness, ‘giving’ gives joy! Giving generously brings life to others and eternal life to oneself. That is the Christian’s legacy. Accumulation of uncharitable and unethical wealth in terms of time, talent and treasure is considered as condemned riches by Jesus.

‘You are lacking in one thing!’ – Jesus said to the rich man. Wisdom (as in the first reading) helps finding that ‘one thing’!

  • What is that one thing that we are lacking in our lives?
  • Am I complacent with the ways of living my faith? Is there any way to progress?
  • What would make me inherit eternal life?

Let our quest be genuine.

As I am typing this message, all my prayers are for the protection and providence of God during Hurricane Milton. Lord be merciful. Lord hear our prayer.

Be safe and God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju

Reading 1: Wisdom 7:7-11
Reading 11: Hebrew 4:12-13
Gospel: Mark 10:17-30