My dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

One of the constant warnings we receive from Our Lord ini the gospels is to beware attaching undue importance to the goods of this world, in particular, wealth. The Church continues to issue this warning to its members and to all the people of the world because it understands that if we place undue importance on wealth, we will never be satisfied with what we have and our wealth could become an idol. The gospel this weekend is another prime example of this warning. The landowner wanting to "eat, drink and be merry" because he is doing so well, but all the while he is losing sight of what is most important, remembering to love God and neighbor.

The recent attention given to the MegaMillions jackpot (over $1 billion dollars) it is quite appropriate we hear this particular gospel passage this weekend. How many of us fantasized about winning the jackpot? How many of us made a mental list of what we would do with the money if we won? How many of us thought of the good we could do for others if we won? I pray that all of us considered the incredible gifts to charity we could have made had we been the winner. I say this because it would be evidence that we aren't possessed by wealth.

Something to keep in mind is this gospel warning is not a rejection of material wealth or the goods of this world. We are encouraged to use what the world gives us to support our families, to experience some joy. Remember, the scripture does not say that money is the root of all evil, but "the love" of money is the root of all evil. As so often is the case, it is about keeping things in their proper place. To quote of our patrons at The Catholic Center, St. Augustine, we are to "love God, and then do as we will." It is the love of God that must remain first in our hearts so that everyone and everything else in their proper place in our lives.

Let's remember, whether we won the jackpot or not, to love God and then to love people and use things, not love things and use people.

Stay well and welcome to August!

Msgr. John J. McDermott, VG