Firday in the Thirty-First Week of Ordinary Time

When I was growing up I liked to read comic books about Scrooge McDuck, the rich uncle of Donald Duck.  What caught my fancy was his daily swim in a huge money bin, full of gold coins. 

Now, here is a great paradox: we acquire heavenly riches by giving away earthly riches.  Jesus said: “Give alms, and so provide purses for yourselves that hold treasure in heaven.”

How shall we provide for our future?  Jewish rabbis have a saying: “The rich help the poor in this world and the poor help the rich in the next world.”

The story of Scrooge McDuck influenced me more than the prudence of the unjust steward.   Around the age of 11 or 12 I set up a store on the front porch of my home.  I sold candy and trinkets, pop and ice cream to anyone passing by.  One day a police officer, who was a friend of my father, stopped his patrol car in front of my little business.  He looked around and asked if I had a license to run a store in this residential area.  Quick as Scrooge McDuck defending his money bin, I replied, “No, I don’t need one.”   He asked, “Why not?”  I replied, “Because I give all the profits to charity.”   He laughed and let me be!  Well, not only did I love money, but I was a little liar, too!  However, God had his revenge by calling me to be a monk to give away all the money I had saved, my entire money bin.  We all have to give an account of our stewardship.  Jesus is teaching us how to live.  Not for earthly treasures, but for heavenly ones, the sacraments and especially the Eucharist.