We Can Do More
September 25, 2024
Fr. John Riccardo
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance.
(James 3:16-4:3)
The closing scene in Schindler’s List is one of the most powerful moments I’ve ever watched on film. The movie tells the story of Oscar Schindler, a fragile and broken hero to be sure. Schindler was a Nazi, but he managed to leverage his position in the party, and his wealth, to save 1100 Jewish men and women from torture and extermination. At the end of the film Germany is about to fall, the Allies are coming, and he is forced to flee. Before he flees, however, those who are alive because of him come to bid him farewell and to express their undying gratitude for what he did for them. As this happens, all of his wealth is suddenly re-evaluated. The things that were once a source of status and prestige are now not only worthless but put his life in danger.
“I could have done more,” he starts to repeat through tears. “I could have got more. I threw away so much money. I didn’t do enough.” He begins to look at his various possessions, realizing that they could have been used to save more people. “This car, why did I keep the car – ten people right there. … This pin, two people. This is gold – two more people…”
The first time I saw Schindler’s List I couldn’t help but think I was being given a glimpse of how I will feel as I’m dying. As I prepare to leave this life behind, and to stand face to face in front of the Lord, I know – we all know – I will see with astounding clarity the various possessions and money I have.
James is trying to have a similar effect on us with his words this week. It would be tempting to think he’s not talking to us but he is. Who of us can’t identify with Schindler’s comment, “I threw away so much money”? Don’t all of us, if we’re honest, have more than we need?
James isn’t telling us to sell everything and give it all to the poor. And Jesus only said that to one man, because that was the one thing that was holding him back from the fullness of life for which he was looking. Still, it is worth remembering that Jesus teaches us that wealth is a great danger. Why? Perhaps because wealth can easily create an illusion that we don’t need God, that we are self-sufficient, that we are our own masters. These are not true. We are in fact creatures and entirely dependent on God, even for the breath we’re taking right now.
That said, here’s a suggestion to consider this week. The days and nights are starting to get cooler, at least in our part of the world here in Michigan. Soon it will be downright cold. This is a good time to rummage through our closets and examine how many sweaters and jackets we have. Do I really need all of these? Especially given the reality that Jesus is shivering outside on the streets in what Mother Teresa used to call “His distressing disguise.” Let’s not wait until our final days to take an honest assessment of what we really do and do not need, and how we can better use what God has so generously entrusted to us.
ACTS XXIX Prayer Intentions
September 2024
For our time in the Diocese of Gary, IN at the Disciple Shift Conference at St. John the Evangelist, that many will hear and be surrendered anew to the gospel and be mobilized for mission.
For our time in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, that God will bless our time there with His Spirit as we seek to build on the great work already happening in the local Church there.
Prayers of thanksgiving for God’s provision in enabling us to begin translating The Rescue Project in German, Portuguese and Mandarin in order that the gospel would reach even more nations.
For our Board of Directors, our Episcopal Advisory Council, our benefactors and prayer partners.
For God’s protection upon the ACTS XXIX family
and their respective families.