In Ezekiel 28:1-10, we see the basic strategy of the devil bearing its fruit. St. Ignatius of Loyola cracked the code: the devil wages a three-step campaign. He tempts us towards two things that are not sinful in themselves; that are good, in fact. But if we acquire them, they will lead us into the sin of sins. It is brilliant. (See the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the “Two Standards” meditation, nos. 136-148.) 

First the devil tempts us to desire riches. The riches of Tyre described in chapter 27 make the artist, the architect, the merchant in us long to see it as it was. Tyre was glorious. In a perfect world, God would want everyone to be rich. But in the real world, wealth is deadly. 

 Riches bring prestige, admiration, and honors. Tyre was a city that people came from all the earth to see and trade with. Prestige follows riches, and the devil’s second step is to make us bask in it. 

In an ideal world, we could not honor each other enough to satisfy God. God honors us beyond what we can believe. But when honors come from riches—not just money, but the “wealth” of our accomplishments—they go to our head. We think we earned them by our power. “Our” power, as if every breath we draw were not a new gift from God. We think we are the source of our power, our skills, our brilliance. God says: 

Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is beyond you. By your wisdom and your intelligence… applied to your trading, you have heaped up your riches; your heart has grown haughty from your riches…. You have thought yourself to have the mind of a god. 

Then the devil closes the trap. We begin to see ourselves as the criterion of truth and goodness. Because we are so smart, so good, whatever we think must be true; whatever we want must be good. That is to make ourselves God. That is pride.  

This explains why Jesus says in Matthew 19:23-30, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Being rich isn’t a sin; it is an obstacle. Jesus said it is such an obstacle that his disciples saw no way around it. They asked him: “Who then can be saved?” 

Jesus didn’t say they were exaggerating. He just looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” When the same Nebuchadnezzar who razed Tyre threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace, God kept them happy and healthy in the flames. Still, most of us would prefer not to depend on a miracle to be saved. (See Daniel, chapter 3.) 

Those who have money are not “rich” if they don’t think they own it, and don’t think it entitles them to privileges. 

Today’s Responsorial is from Deuteronomy 32:26-36: It is I who deal death and give life. 

Prayer Prompt: Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to recognize the evil spirit’s deception and guard against it. Also ask for a spirit of humility and endurance to face hardship for the sake of the Kingdom.

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #420, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.