Feel comfortable?

It is a good bet that if you can read this blog, you are much better off than most of the people in the world.

Even if we feel that we are not doing well or that we’re suffering in some way, there are always people whose suffering is worse.

Today, the first reading and the Gospel both speak strongly against people who are living a comfortable life.

Too often, when we hear these readings, we think that they’re talking about someone else, some rich person, not ourselves. That is a dangerous way for anyone to hear Scripture, for there is invariably a message for us and we ignore it at our peril.

What’s wrong with being comfortable? Certainly we should appreciate the good things that God has given us, but there are dangers.

First, we can become too focused on the transient pleasures of this world and lose touch with the eternal happiness of heaven. As our Lord says,

Woe to you who are rich, for your consolation is now.
Luke 6:24

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.
Matthew 6:21

Second, we can fail to use the gifts we have received to help our brothers and sisters in need as we should. This is a responsibility that none of us can shirk, no matter how rich or not so rich we may be. St. John makes this point very clearly:

But if any one has the world's goods
and sees his brother in need,
yet closes his heart against him,
how does God's love abide in him?
1 John 3:17

Is our treasure in heaven?

Do we close our hearts against our brothers and sisters in need?

Could we not do a better job of sharing with them our hearts as well as what time and treasure we have?

Listen to what God is saying.

Could we not do more?