by Rev. Deacon Lawrence A. St. Onge

The response to today’s psalm, the invitation from the beatitude’s to "be poor in spirit," does not necessarily mean that we need to avoid the material goods in our lives, but that we use them to provide not only for ourselves, but to empower others to become more fully who they might be.

During his 3 years of public ministry Jesus traveled a great deal. Today’s gospel tells us how a diverse group of women traveled with Jesus and the disciples. There was Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna, among others. Mary Magdalene had lived a very troubled life before Jesus cast out seven devils from her. And later, she was very privileged to be the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection. Joanna was the wife of King Herod’s chief financial officer, and as such, was a wealthy lady of the royal court. These two women who came from very diverse backgrounds were first transformed, and then brought together and united in the bond of friendship, service and loyalty to Jesus by his message of the kingdom of God.

Unlike the Apostles, who at times sought prestige and position, these women did not seek position or recognition for themselves. Jesus had such a profound effect on their lives that they were happy and grateful to do anything they could for him, even menial service. These women brought their gifts and resources to Jesus to use as he saw fit. Their wealth and material goods were not a stumbling block for them in their relating to the God present in their midst. By sharing their goods with others, they offered a means for God’s presence, in the personhood of Jesus, to be more fully experienced by the people.

The question we need to ask ourselves is: Are we more like the Apostles, who were status conscious, or like the women, who were content to serve quietly and generously?

For most people the natural tendency is to want to be served and placed first, and to avoid giving of ourselves and our resources. Few people, it would seem, prefer or are content with being a lowly servant who puts the needs of others before their own. It is Jesus who is our best example of humble service, and the women of today’s gospel who gladly imitated him in their humble and generous giving of self and that which they possessed.

St. Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives gifts and graces to each and everyone of us for the express purpose of the common good and the building up of the Body of Christ – the Church.

In today’s 1^st reading St. Paul cautions us. He says, "We brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it…Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction." He then says, "…man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness…Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called…"