August 31, 2008
22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
GOSPEL: PROFILES IN COURAGE
In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks us what it would profit us if we gained the whole world and forfeited our life. Things of this world are meaningless in heaven.
There once was a rich man who wanted to take his wealth with him when he died. He somehow got permission to bring one carry-on bag with him when he entered heaven. St. Peter saw him struggling with the bag. When he unzipped the bag, he discovered it contained bars of gold bullion. St. Peter couldn’t believe his eyes. “You brought pavement?” he asked the man.
Clearly, the rich man needed more religious education. He might have learned well from the church where one pastor put up a sign in front: FREE TRIP TO HEAVEN. DETAILS INSIDE.