Contentment is Better Than Riches.

Homily for Wednesday 26^th September 2018

_“Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.” *(Luke 9:3)*_

God does not give anyone an assignment without also giving him or her the necessary instruments and equipment to accomplish the task. Indeed, he equips us long before he even spells out the mission for us. Once you are able to recognize your gifts, talents and abilities, you immediately realize the nature of the assignment God has given to you.

In today’s Gospel passage, we see Jesus sending out the Twelve on a mission. Before sending them out, Jesus gave them certain instruments which include: Power, Authority over all demons, Ability to cure diseases and Contentment. It is easy to read this passage and fail to recognise this last instrument; contentment.

When Jesus was telling them not to carry anything for the journey, no staff, no bag, no bread and so on, Jesus wasn’t simply giving them an instruction, he was also giving them a special instrument. The ability to be content is a special instrument for ministry. Show me a minister who is not satisfied with what he or she has and I will show you one who will soon turn the worship of God into the worship of mammon.

Being content is in the words of our first reading praying for neither poverty nor riches, asking that God provides only that which is necessary. By asking His disciples not to carry any staff, bad, bread, money or extra tunic, Jesus wanted to teach them the value of contentment. Jesus wanted to teach them how to depend on God to provide only our basic needs.

Do you feel drawn to spread God’s word, to win souls for Christ or to bring people closer to God in a world so filled with darkness and evil like this? Then bear in mind that contentment is better than riches. Once you have this principle, it is easy to overcome the temptations satan would throw your way as he did to Jesus whom he promised to give the riches of the world in exchange for a bow.

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with the spirit of charity and never took money for their services. At Egaea in Cilicia, where they lived, they enjoyed the highest esteem of the people. When the persecution under Diocletian broke out, their very prominence rendered them marked objects of persecution. Being apprehended by order of Lysias, governor of Cilicia, they underwent various torments about the year 283. They are patron saints of pharmacists.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to be content with all I have that I may be your instrument in spreading the faith to the world. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Proverbs 30:5-9, Psalm 119, and Luke 9:1-6)