A paradox: Prosperity (abundance of God's gifts) often leads us to reject God: Daily Mass Homily--Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

            Hosea prophesies an insightful reality about wealth: “Israel is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth.  The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; the more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up.”  The basic point of this prophesy is a paradox—the more Israel is blessed with abundance—in other words, gifts from God—the more they turn from God!

            The same can be said today.  I am convinced that the poorer the place, the more joy and faith are possible.  I have seen this firsthand in Ghana, Venezuela and parts of the Holy Land.  The great risk of prosperity is forgetting Who it came from.  When we are well fed, have clean water and good health, it is easy to think we are self-sustaining.  But take any of these away and we immediately turn back to heaven!

We live in the richest country in the world yet also have some of the highest rates of depression, suicide, anxiety, divorce and abortions.  We are becoming increasingly individualistic, materialistic and secular.

In many ways, we are like the Roman Empire in its last days.  By the way, Fr. Rich and I were talking about this today in light of the readings.  He pointed out an interesting fact—the only place archaeologists have found gymnasiums, amphitheatres or other decadent venues for entertainment were in this empire.  Rome’s morality was numbed by entertainment and pleasure and the emperor simply had to feed them and entertain them to keep them from caring about anything else.  Like Rome, the conscience of our country is often dulled by “bread and circuses”.

I know many of you are very generous and I affirm the gifts you have given to your parish and community.  In light of Hosea’s words, how might you be called to use the gifts God has given you?  How can you realize more fully how helpless you are without God?  In what ways is He calling you to make sacrifices in pleasure, entertainment, food or drink?  God continues to beckon us forward, to give more over to Him.  Please continue to pray about how you can be even more generous to God and your neighbor.