LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Name of True Riches
Every follower of Jesús Christ, sooner or later, is going to have to decide how to present himself against riches. The world is full with riches, and although it is not within the reach of everyone, they 'flirt' with everyone in at least some moment in their lives. If they do not fill the pockets of everyone, they fill the hearts of everyone with anxiety, scraps, and hopes.
Riches exercise so much pressure on the soul, and so imperatively, that they require nothing less than the first place, the most unconditional devotion, and the totality of the time. They want to convert each man and woman into slaves and followers.
The demand is absolute; riches want to reign and be the master. Therefore the Lord Jesus said: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other" (Mt. 6:24). Can riches be a "Master"? Yes, nothing less. When the heart has been yielded to riches, they will govern –still more, they will tyrannize– man without counterweight.
Nevertheless, riches’ control is so vain and their offerings so deceitful that, right from the beginning, an honest heart will recognize their fraud and will confirm that true happiness does not come with riches, that they instead bring pain and sorrow. Those who have fallen under their spell end up lost in human misery. Life loses its attraction; nothing satisfies. Having it all, they do not have anything and then the pitiful end comes.
Everything that is raised as a rival against God, will fall and show its true and sad condition. No "Master" can remain standing in the holy presence of the true Master. Oh, the heart transformed into a toy and slave! How weak he is! How helpless!
On the other hand, the strong in spirit, the one that has God inside, can despise them and can go through life ignoring them; his luck does not depend of them. Their shine does not seduce him; their siren calls do not touch him; he is looking beyond.
How happy and how free is the man who is pleased with what God gracefully grants him! That small pleasure, which costs four coins, has the sweetness of the imperishable goods; that money, that is just enough for the daily needs is worth more than all the treasures of the dissatisfied and greedy man.
How abundant is the grace granted to man by God, offering, without money, the most prized goods! Therefore the prophet was able to say: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance” (Is. 55:1-2).
What was the prophet referring to? What can be bought without money? "Eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance". Here is the key: the ‘Good’ of God is He that God sent to satisfy the dissatisfied heart of man. The ‘Good’ of God has a name: Jesus.