Ever hear the old expression "Money is the root of all evil"? That's actually a misquote from Scripture. In our first reading today from 1 Timothy 6, St. Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all evil." Money is but an object. It is the love of money that gets one into a trap.
This first reading speaks to our relationship with money and possessions. St. Paul sums it up succinctly: "For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it."
This reminds me of an old joke. A greedy old man was ready to die. He asked his wife to put a case full of gold bars into his casket. He wanted to take it with him. Being a faithful wife, she acceded to his final wish. When he got to the pearly gates, case in hand, St. Peter said, "Didn't they tell you you can't take it with you?" "Yes," replied the old man, "but I have to have this!" Humoring the man, St. Peter said, "Well, open the case and let's see what's so important to you." Upon looking in the case, St. Peter said, "You brought pavement?"
Father, may we have no attachment to material things, but only to you through your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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