Poverty’s Wisdom

BEADS OF JOY 03-16-17

“Poverty’s Wisdom”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Luke 16:19-31 (The Rich Man and Lazarus)

“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; more over the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Reflection:
Let us look at today’s parable. How sad and utterly wasted was the life of the rich man; even after death he requested that Lazarus, “dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue” he was still expecting to be served and waited upon, what a fool. Lazarus paid his dues, suffered throughout his life while living in poverty; never giving up hope or trust in Almighty God. Yet the rich man was so absorbed in his wealth and possessions and power; he never knew the suffering of someone like Lazarus, where the dogs licked his sores and he died on the street. The rich man never begged while he was alive, but he sure was begging for that cool water on his tongue after his death.

This story has us think of many things, but I think of this: Where are we in this story? Are we Lazarus or are we the rich man (person)? What consumes our thoughts, our time, our attention, our every desire that we have? Is it Jesus? Is it power? Is it Prayer? Is it more possessions? Is it going to Adoration to be with Jesus? Is it having more money? Is it what people think about us? Well, what is it? It must be at least one of these or at least hopefully a combination of a couple of these? In the end, you don’t have to answer to me; but we all will have to answer to Almighty God. He alone knows our hearts, our desires and our ulterior motives. Living a life fully in trust to Him is the only way to live. No matter if we are homeless or just working hard. Every day you open your eyes is a good one and when you open them say, “Thank you Jesus” and be grateful and happy.

Poverty is a tough word and an even tougher life when you have no food or money to do anything that you need to do. I’m going to say something some of you may not like, but y’all know me, I’m going to say it anyway. I think everyone should at some point experience poverty! Yes, I said it. Not forced or made to suffer under some crazy conspiracy. I mean suffer in ways where food and your general needs become almost impossible to have met. Even have a day where you don’t eat at all. I (our family) has been there several times. We were close to being homeless and that was beyond stressful. We struggled nearly 12-15 months straight and I had to beg month to month for our survival. The state helped us, but never enough. We had bills pile up, electric shut off notices, empty cabinets, empty refrigerator. So many times. When you suffer you appreciate everything in a whole new way and you want to help others in a whole new way. That is why I said what I said.

There is a certain empathy that can only come from within when you have been there and lived it. All of a sudden you value others more than diamonds and gold. All of a sudden you value friendship and love more than power and status. All of a sudden you value your faith and devotion to Jesus over and above anything worldly thing world has to offer. I care a great deal about all of you, that is why I say what I say each day. See you tomorrow.

This was originally written: September 26, 2016 http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2016/09/rich-man-and-lazarus.html

Pondering these thoughts today: I reposted this because of the overwhelming views (visits) the original post got. I hope my insight and my sharing helps you see what I see in the wisdom of poverty. We all can learn from poverty, but we learn better and more when we are the ones suffering and going without a meal. When it is my stomach growling, I am listening and learning. Hard to explain to the depths I have learned. I hope this has been helpful. God Bless you.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!

Rosary Man Jim's Luminous Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-luminous-mysteries.html

MY FIRST BOOK. More to come…

https://www.amazon.com/Marys-Way-Cross-Rosary-Man-ebook/dp/B079TJZFQJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519240799&sr=8-1&keywords=rosary+man+jim