Drawing the Line

A recent news story told of refugees fleeing from Syria and Afghanistan.

Trying to make their way by land to the coast of Turkey.

From some beaches there, it’s less than three miles across the Aegean Sea to a Greek island.

And if they can make that short boat trip, they’re in the relative safety of Europe.

It’s a much safer trip than crossing the Mediterranean where so many thousands are drowning

Drowning because of the greed of the smugglers who charge exorbitant fees.

And then cram far too many refugees on unseaworthy ships that sink or are abandoned at sea.

Greed is also adding to the danger of the short Aegean crossing.

To further boost their huge profits, smugglers squeeze 16 refugees into a small inflatable boat.

A boat designed to hold only eight.

So many sink and many drown.

Other entrepreneurs are charging top dollar, selling life jackets to the refugees.

But many refugees have given all their money to the smugglers and can’t afford the life jackets.

Or even food.

The laws of supply and demand are creating a tremendous seller’s market.

It’s a great opportunity for the smugglers, and even the life jacket sellers.

They can join the coveted ranks of the rich.

If we’re blessed with the wherewithal to take care of ourselves, we should do that.

But there’s a point where using our resources only for ourselves is no longer defensible.

Beyond that point, we’re ignoring our call to share our resources to help those in need.

And not just our money and property, but also our time and talent.

Clearly, those smugglers who overload their boats have gone far, far beyond the defensible.

Are those life jacket sellers also crossing the line?

Drawing that line, balancing our own needs against the needs of others, is difficult.

It’s difficult for the fabulously wealthy, the merely rich, the middle income,

All the way down to the poor themselves.

For us who have so much, how grand a lifestyle should we allow ourselves?

At what point do we say, my needs are covered, let me give the excess to those still in need.

If we’re trying to be prudent and provide for our uncertain future,

It’s truly hard to know when enough is enough.

Deciding where to draw our line may be hard, but it’s a task we really need to tackle.

If the uncertainties of this life make it harder to draw, then the certainties should make it easier.

And the one, big, absolute certainty ahead is death.

Today, Jesus warns of the danger of being rich, but assures us that we can move beyond death.

He says it’s impossible for us to save ourselves, but everything is possible for God.

And that those who share what they’re given in this life, will receive back a hundred-fold.

And, even more, they’ll inherit eternal life.

I think he’s trying to help us decide where to draw our line.

Tuesday 20th Week Ordinary Time

Mt 19:23-30      Read this Scripture @usccb.org