As Jesuits, we take the vow of poverty. We do not consider anything our personal possession, and any money or material goods entrusted to us must be accounted for. Yet, our mission requires money. We depend on the generosity of benefactors, some wealthy and others who may have very little themselves. We receive these gifts not to accumulate wealth, but to use them for the good of others, especially the poor and the needy. If all we do is collect money and build up our wealth, we have failed in our mission. As the saying goes, “A person’s true wealth consists not in what they keep, but in what they give away.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings”. Money and material possessions are not bad in themselves, but they come with responsibility. We need to look after ourselves and live with dignity, but we must also be aware of those around us who struggle to meet their basic needs. Instead of holding on to what we have to feel secure about tomorrow, perhaps we can share some of it today with someone who needs help.
However, generosity involves risk. We may worry about our future and wonder whether we are being imprudent. What if we need that money tomorrow? What if we do not have enough for ourselves? At such moments, I am reminded of St. Paul’s words: “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me”.
Perhaps today’s Gospel invites us to examine how we use what has been entrusted to us. Do we hold on to it out of fear, or do we trust enough to share it? We may not be able to help everyone, but we can make a difference in someone’s life. True wealth lies not in what we accumulate, but in what we generously give away.
Rev. Anish Kochanichottil, SJ
My name is Anish Kochanichottil. I am a Jesuit from India, currently residing at the Jerome Nadal Jesuit Residence while pursuing my MBA from Creighton University. Before coming to the USA, I was involved in school education for over a decade. My academic background includes a doctorate in education, with research focused on Critical Pedagogy and Missionary Education. I am truly excited to be part of the online ministry’s daily reflections and to share my insights.
