POVERTY IS WEALTH IN DISGUISE

 Sunday, January 29, 2023

FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 

First Reading.  Zephaniah 2: 3; 3: 12-13

Psalm. 146: 5-10 (R. Matthew 5:3)

Second Reading. 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31

Gospel. Matthew 5: 1-12

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION 

POVERTY IS WEALTH IN DISGUISE 

First and foremost, I will like to let you know that God is wealthy, while humanity is poor. 

So, all are poor in as much we always need each other to survive in life, because no one has it all, except God. 

#First Logic

If humanity is poor and God is wealthy, 

Humanity is created in the image and likeness of God who is wealthy. 

Therefore, poor humanity is richly wealthy in the image of the wealthy God

#Second Logic 

If humanity is poor, and the Son of God is wealthy

The Son of God (Jesus) who is wealthy took poor human flesh 

Therefore, humanity became wealthy in its poverty state. 

The scripture says: "... Jesus Christ, though was rich, yet for our sake, He became poor so that by His poverty we might become rich". Cf. 2 Cor. 8: 9

The logic above signifies that the kingdom of God is a wealthy treasure that we ought to strive for and not the material wealth of this earth. 

Though, certainly, I know and am fully aware that humanly speaking, POVERTY is not the same as WEALTH. 

In that case, how possible will it be that Poverty will become wealthy in disguise? 

Well, let's get started... 

I will like to make it clear that poverty and wealth are interwoven. 

Poverty can not exist without wealth and wealth can not exist without poverty. 

All material wealth is poverty inclined because it all ends here on earth.  Psalm 49: 10. No one dies with his wealth. 

So possessing excess material wealth without God is classical abject poverty of the soul. 

On the contrary, a poor person who lacks the basic material wealth of life, but has God, is richly blessed with great wealth. 

So my biblical advice is this...

***Be not afraid when one becomes rich when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. Cf. Psalm 49: 16-17

So, we should be aware that God provided all natural resources for the benefit of all, but capitalism which most societies practice today enthroned GREED which came from Satan, master of pride, while the wealthy God, who is Humility personified was dethroned. 

Therefore, if humanity is humble and admits his nothingness before God; God who is wealthy in humility will exalt him. 

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POVERTY 

1. The natural state of created man is in a poverty state. 

2. The lack of material basic needs is poverty. 

A poor person is anyone who is helpless in one situation or another, and always seeks help. 

Humanity is weak and always in need of help.  

It is only God who has it all whom humanity depends on. 

Therefore, humanity in his poverty depends on God who is wealthy. 

More so, to admit that one depends on God is a sign of humility which summarizes the Gospel of today. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit simply means blessed are humble of heart, they shall see God. 

The beatitude in today's Gospel could be likened to meaning, what you sow, you reap. (Gal. 6: 7)

Now let us examine each of the beatitude texts. 

***Blessed are the poor in spirit (Humility) 

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Abode of God who is Humble) not for the proud

***Blessed are those who mourn (Sympathy)

They shall be comforted. (God's empathy)

***Blessed are the meek (Gentle soul)

They shall inherit the earth. (Blessings)

***Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Just people)

They shall be satisfied. (Justified their quest)

***Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (You receive mercy for being merciful)

Similarly, the rest beatitudes point in the same direction: you receive what you give to others. 

***Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”

Likewise, the first reading emphasized the poor and humble that the Lord will live among them, while the second reading made it clear that God chose the weak to shame the strong, the poor to shame the rich, and the humble to shame the proud. 

In summary, whatever we possess in life, be it personality, intelligence, gift, talents, material wealth, etc we should use it for the edification of others in humility, remembering that we all are poor by nature and depending on God alone. 

So, no one is too poor that he has nothing to give, and no one is too rich that he needs nothing from others. 

Peace ✌️ be with you. 

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS. 




Comments

Daniel Ezeh said…
Beautiful reflection Padre. thanks as you continue to inspire and nourish us with the word of God. More wisdom and strength. Well done Padre!
January 29, 2023 at 5:30 AM
Daniel Ezeh said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
January 29, 2023 at 5:31 AM
Segun said…
Thanks, Daniel, God bless you
January 29, 2023 at 1:50 PM
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