Hey Y’all!

Today is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time in the Church’s calendar! And you might react with a yawn or a “duh” to that fact. And I would join you in such a reaction except that today’s readings are pretty challenging and we must not be complacent or indifferent. On just such a Sunday, at the beginning of August, we have to press onward, persevering in our Christian discipleship! So let’s go!

As I mentioned today’s readings are challenging. They all remind me of a vital and relevant aspect of theology and philosophy known as “Catholic Social Teaching”.

Our first reading from Ecclesiastes addresses the vanity of wealth gathering and wealth hoarding, both activities human societies endorse and uphold. (Maybe with the exception of the seasonal moral lesson of “Ebenezer Scrooge”. But Christmas seems a long way off from the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.)

And our Gospel today reminds us of Jesus’ parable that addresses worldly wealth and even more worldly attitudes that many of us would not think are terribly wrong. Isn’t our nation’s economy built around working hard, earning wealth and then being smart with our money, saving, investing, planning. My financial planner, CPA, and tax person have spent their careers telling me this is the only way to live. There’s a gazillion dollar industry for wealth and perpetual industry that is marketing these thoughts to us each and every minute. Are we buying what they’ve selling?

Well, honestly, this is why we should all be wise and aware of the doctrines presented in our Church’s social teaching. They help us to follow Christ when we’re confused by the direction of societies’ thinking and influence.

So what is Catholic Social Teaching? Basically, it is a moral framework, based on Sacred Scripture and applied Christian thought over the last 2000 years that pertains to human dignity, human activity, and human’s attitudes toward each other. Principles on human labor and wealth and economics are a part of this moral framework.

So, “if today you heard God’s voice” then “harden not your heart”. Google “Catholic Social Teaching” and read up on it. Study it a little bit. And then actively apply it to your life. Such application might change your work-life balance. It might change your ideas on wealth distribution and start a fruitful conversation with your financial advisor, CPA and tax person. It might soften your views on people and their troubles and needs. It might draw you to trust in Jesus more and your bank account or cryptocurrency less. Being thoughtful about living a Catholic, socially aware life will make us all better Christians. And then the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time isn’t so ordinary, but a day of greater freedom leading you to salvation.

God bless!

Fr. RF