I am thankful for the daily meditations of Forward Day by Day. I recently was reminded of the words of Paul to Timothy, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains." (1Timothy 6:10)

 

What I appreciated in the reflection on this passage is that riches today take many forms that people grasp after under the illusion that these things give security. Money and power are most often offered as examples, but other things are more subtle and seductive - the need to be right, holding onto hurts and not allowing ourselves to forgive, to name a few. All these things, and I suspect there are more, limit our ability to reach out and fully embrace a life of loving sacrifice in Christ. As St. Francis reminds us, it is in giving that we receive. Peace and a good night's sleep can come from the expression of a generous spirit, exercised regularly with forgiveness and charity for all.

 

The meditation ended with the best questions for us - what are you grasping tightly in your life? Is it life-giving, or is it something you need to release to God?

 

Fr. Evan+