The Power of Contentment

Wednesday, 25 September 2024. Readings: Proverbs 30:5-9, Ps. 119:28,72,89,101,104,163, Luke 9:1-6

“Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8-9)

God does not give anyone an assignment without giving them the necessary instruments to accomplish the task. In today’s Gospel passage, we see Jesus sending the Twelve on a mission. For this, Jesus gives them the following: Power, Authority over all demons, Ability to cure diseases, and the Spirit of Contentment.

- By asking them to “take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics” (Luke 9:3), Jesus revealed to them the power of contentment. Truly, contentment (concretely expressed as the vow of poverty) is an all-important ministry instrument.

- Show me a minister who lacks contentment, and I will show you one who worships mammon under the guise of religion. In his letter to Bishop Timothy, St. Paul notes: “There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world so that we can take nothing out of it… those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

- “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:6-11)

- The temptation to be rich, to gather, and to grab is always an undeniable force for anyone who opts to serve God. Jesus referred to this temptation as the thorns which grew up to choke the good seed, thereby preventing it from bearing fruits. (Cf. Luke 8:14).

- Have you chosen to work for God? Do not bow to the devil in exchange for worldly riches, and do not turn God’s house into a den of robbers. (Cf. Jeremiah 7:11, Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46)

- One may ask: If we practice what Jesus says, how do we provide for those who see us as their last hope for survival? How do we ‘give them something to eat’? (Cf. Matthew 14:16). This is where faith comes in. Trust that God will always provide what is needed. Hence, Jesus said: “For the labourer deserves his wages.” (Luke 10:7).

- Today’s first reading is the perfect prayer for anyone called to the ministry: “Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.” (Proverbs 30:7-8). Just as lack can lead one to steal, having too much can lead to denying God. As the saying goes: “virtue lies in the middle.”

- Contentment is gratitude. Learn to be thankful for the “little” you have. To you, it seems little, but for many, it is abundant. Whether you like it or not, it will never be enough. St. Augustine correctly remarked that no amount of worldly riches can satisfy our souls. Our hearts are restless until they rest in God. Happiness does not come from what we have; it is a measure of our gratitude.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to be content as I spread the faith to the world. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday of week 25 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Proverbs 30:5-9, Ps. 119:28,72,89,101,104,163, Luke 9:1-6).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu