Money, Sex, Power

Following the lead of the Spirit rather than the world  

Galatians 3:1-5  

O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard? Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain?– if indeed it was in vain. Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?

          There is a curious contrast between how Christians live and how the world around us revolves. Indeed, I would propose that our priorities and the world’s priorities are polar opposites. And there are three main areas where this contract comes into sharp focus, namely, in money, sex and power. Just think about the three vows that religious priests and nuns take: poverty (opposed to money), chastity (rather than sex), and obedience (instead of ego and willfulness).

          Several years ago, Bishop Sartain (now archbishop of Seattle) told us priests that his salary as a bishop was exactly the same as that of priests. Ever since then I’ve never wanted to be a bishop. I mean, what’s the point?? Second, think about the practical consequences of abandoning celibacy and having more married priests: you’d hear a lot more sermons about money! Why? Because parishioners would have to provide financial support for a family, not just for a bachelor. And third, power or prestige: the pope has said no more monsignors before the age of 65 and he decried so-called “airport bishops” who travel too much instead of staying in their diocese serving their people. You see, the life of a priest should be a sharp contrast to the values of the world: no money, no sex, no power. And when we live that way, we become the gospel on two legs.

          This contrast is what’s got St. Paul so fired up in the first reading today. He chastises the Galatians, saying: “Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you ending in the flesh?” Now, be careful: by the term “flesh” he is not criticizing the human body, which in 1 Corinthians 6:19 he calls “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” So, the body is good.  Rather, by “flesh” he means all the disordered, worldly desires that are summed up in “money, sex and power.” In other words, he wants the Galatians to catch that Christian contrast; our values and priorities should clash with those of the world: poverty, chastity and obedience.

          My friends, I believe this Christian contrast is not only meant for priests, but also for married people. That is, married people should also embrace a spirit of poverty, chastity and obedience. For instance, many marriages struggle over money: sometimes there is not enough money, sometimes there is too much money. Some couples even sign “prenuptial agreements” to determine who will get the money if there is a divorce. Instead, practice poverty, a simpler life-style. Other marriages wreck on the rocks of sex or infidelity or adultery. But many couples fail to see that the physical adultery was the consequence of the emotional adultery that preceded it. That is, sharing your heart often leads to sharing your body. Don’t neglect your need for emotional intimacy.  And third, power. One husband boasted: “I always get the last word in every argument. Those words are, ‘Yes, dear’.” Instead of a power-play, seek to serve each other; be obedient to each other.

          I believe as the world becomes less and less Christian, our contrast with the world will come into sharper focus: money, sex and power, or poverty, chastity and obedience. We must all become the gospel on two legs.

          Praised be Jesus Christ!