August 18, Tuesday Weekday

The Lord speaks of peace to his people.--Psalm 85:see 9

Mass readings: Judges 6:11-24 / Matthew 19:23-30

The Real World

My father died at 39. I was a not-very-mature teenager so my memories of him are really a child's memories, some sad. He tended to sarcasm: When I would seem to be boasting even a little over some school achievement, he'd say, ''If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?'' I confess those words still hurt a little. I can reject the logic, but I wonder: If I were richer, wouldn't the rest of the world think I was smarter?

Jesus' words today are typically compassionate yet countercultural. It's difficult for the rich in this world to desire another world, He says. But the eternal world is the real one, and money doesn't matter there. Neither does smartness. What matters in that world is the faith and love I've practiced in this one.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember where true riches lie.