Happiness and Security

Beads of Joy 02-28-11

Happiness and Security
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

I am sure that this young man had the greatest intentions, and the utmost respectable reasons for living the way he did. But.. There's always a "but", where did this young man lose sight of things? How can he be talking directly to our Lord and Savior, receive direction from Him, and then go in the complete opposite direction? I can't for the sake of me figure that out. He was in direct contact with Jesus, and yet he still couldn't understand. How blessed to have been physically right there with Jesus. We live our lives based on faith without ever seeing Him in person, and yet we fully believe; maybe it's simply because we know the whole story, maybe not, who knows. But either way, there had to be a magnificent ora about Jesus whenever you were in contact with Him. Today we are reflecting on mark 10:17-27 (The Rich Man). I would have thought since this man was rich, to some degree he must have been intelligent. I know intelligence in worldly affairs don't mean intelligence with spiritual things; but if the man who has healed many and feed many and even raised one from the dead offers advise, wouldn't you listen?

He only asked this young man to, "...sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." He was really asked him to give up everything else and come to and follow after Jesus. I guess to many who are entangled in this world of pleasures, success and wealth; find this to be impossible and something that no matter who asks them, they won't comply. The attachments in this world in the end will be the very things that destroy you. When the ship is sinking, let go of the solid gold banister, and rise to the surface; if you refuse to let go, you to will sink and die at the bottom of the ocean. How and why do people tend to cling onto earthly things? The freedom you receive by letting go, is beyond what any words can convey. Dear Lord, you give our spirits such a refreshed feeling when we have so much less here on earth. I feel blessed to have less. Too many things will or can distract anyone from our Lord. See why I prefer less, actually almost nothing. Why? So I can spend 24/7/365 fully focused on Him.

Now we need to understand that Jesus loved the rich, just the same as He loves the poor. The only difference is that He knows the rich will have a much more difficult time letting go of all there things and status and ego; which is all driven by their pride, that letting go for them will be a nearly impossible task. Like Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." This is serious stuff, Jesus wants to save them, but it will be difficult. Take a look at Proverbs in reflection to this, "Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse." Proverbs 28:6 and "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness." Proverbs 23:4, also there is one from Psalms, "Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;" Psalms 37:16 . Back in Jesus' time they had the Psalms and Proverbs to reflect upon.

So what do we do, what does Jesus wish of us? Does he discourage wealth and success? Absolutely not, on the contrary, He wants us to be successful, but then what does He mean? You know when Jesus refers to the "eye of the needle" He wasn't literally taking about a needle per say. Rather He was referring to the lower gate of the city walls. That gate was very low for the average size man, in order for him to get through it, he'd have to kneel down (a humble position) and work his way through the opening. Do you see where this is all going. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." Matthew 7:13.. To our knees, we must be. If wealth is in our destiny, we must be wealthy in Jesus first, and then if our bank accounts are over flourishing, we need to give God thanks with the knowledge that it is all His, and that we thank Him for it, and intend to use it for His glory, unselfishly. It's when we become selfish, greedy, and prideful in our success that success becomes the downfall of an individuals eternity. And investing in "eternity" far exceeds any retirement on the beaches of Hawaii. Remember this wonderful quote, "I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love." ~Mother Teresa, and always, always trust in our Lord to guide your heart closer to Him.

"Jesus, I trust in You."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today we pray the Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Birth of Jesus
4. The Presentation in The Temple
5. Finding of Jesus in the Temple