GIVE ME NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES;
PROVIDE ME ONLY WITH THE FOOD I NEED
PROVIDE ME ONLY WITH THE FOOD I NEED
When Jesus sends
His disciples on a missionary journey, He doesn't want them to take all kinds
of provisions with them. His intention is for them to learn complete dependence
on God.
Today's first
reading contains a very brief prayer. Half of it is easy to say and mean, but
the other half is very difficult. We pray, "Lord, give me neither poverty
nor riches" (Prv 30:8). Nobody wants to live in poverty, but riches may be
another matter. The wise author of the Book of Proverbs asks God to only
provide him with the necessities of life. Riches frighten him, and for good
reason. In fact, Jesus Himself gives stern warnings about the danger of riches.
For the affluent it is much too easy to think that they can be independent of
God. When Jesus sends His disciples on a missionary journey, He doesn't want
them to take all kinds of provisions with them. His intention is for them to
learn complete dependence on God.
Our Gospel reading
from St. Luke tells us that Jesus sends the Twelve out, giving them power and
authority to overcome demons and to cure the sick. He sends them to proclaim
the reign of God and to heal. We might possibly wonder what chances these
uneducated band of disciples ever have of success in the world as they are sent
out by Jesus to preach and to heal. How prepared could they be to leave the
companionship of Jesus and venture forth without even a walking stick or
traveling bag and no bread or money? They must be scared to death!
For the most part,
we might judge those whom Jesus sends as "slow learners." However,
recall the miracles of healing and forgiveness they have witnessed, and most of
all consider their relationship with Jesus, Whose love they know intimately. These
men, afraid and still weak in faith, are being sent ready or not! As we reflect
on these readings don't we, as disciples of Jesus in this modern time, have the
same mission today? By our baptism and confirmation we too are sent by Jesus to
proclaim the Gospel of God's Kingdom and to attend to those wounded both
physically and spiritually, and to love all.
We join with the
psalmist today in protesting to God, "The law of Your mouth is to me more
precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Ps 119:72). Do we
really mean that? The expression "Law of God," in the Bible means
"God's will." We are called to surrender our wills to God's will like
Jesus did, "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Lk 22:42). We need to
say this often!
God does not want
us to live in destitution so that we must literally wonder where our next meal
will be coming from. This way of surviving is not His will. But He does want us
to recognize that He is the Source of every good gift. He is happy to respond
to our sincere prayer, "Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches"
(ibid).