Not without reason does our Blessed Lord stress the necessity for his followers to be inwardly detached from the world, “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (NRSV, Luke 12:15), and we remember also his saying about laying up treasure, not in earth, but in Heaven, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (NRSV, Luke 12:34).  And we recall the Parable of the Rich Fool, who, in his excitement at an exceptional harvest, settled down to planning new and larger barns, and looked ahead to a long and luxurious retirement.  “But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your life is being demanded of you’ “ (NRSV, Luke 12:20).  Or again, ”You cannot serve God and wealth” (NRSV, Luke 16:13), which St John echoes saying, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world” (NRSV, 1 John 2:15-16).

“…we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).  Let us then shed our affection for worldly things now so that we may enter the next life unencumbered by their futile load.  For we shall never reach the heights of eternity except by travelling light.

References

1. Quoted in Langridge Retreats for priests.

2. Thomas à Kempis The imitation of Christ, Book 3, chapter 53, para 2.  Published in 1933.  London: Burns Oates and Washbourne Ltd.