We’ve all seen those cringeworthy videos where someone films himself “helping the poor” more for clicks than compassion. It raises the question: Is wealth itself evil?
Jesus definitely challenges some of the assumptions of the day with the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (cf. Lk. 16:19-31), where material wealth was viewed as a sign of God’s blessings. How well can you enjoy eating when you know that others are starving? The rich man threw parties while Lazarus starved on his doorstep. He never even noticed. After death, the roles were reversed. So is wealth evil?
The key principle to understand the Christian approach to wealth is the universal destination of earth’s goods. By this principle, the Church believes that God created the world for the flourishing of all human beings. Private property should serve this original principle (Antonio Lemos, “The Universal Destination of Goods in St. John Chrysostom”).
St. John Chrysostom
I always like to go back to the teaching of St. John Chrysostom on this topic. He was the bishop of one of the wealthiest cities of all time, yet dedicated much of his preaching and work to help the poor. Looking at today’s Gospel, he noted that
he is of all men to be most pitied who lives in luxury without sharing his wealth with others (St. John Chrysostom, “Discourse III, Concerning Lazarus”).
Wealth should open our hands, not close our hearts.
If it is selfish to hoard material goods, it is even worse to hoard spiritual goods. Just as material wealth must be shared rightly, so too the greatest spiritual treasure we have – the Eucharist – must be handled with reverence and integrity. The greatest gift we have is Jesus in the Eucharist – and He is meant to be shared. How can we invite non-Catholics to Mass while still showing reverence for the Eucharist?
Non-Catholics and the Eucharist
Why can’t non-Catholics receive the Eucharist? It can be hard to bring a friend to Mass when you have to explain why they can’t go to Communion. It may feel disappointing or confusing. But it is important to remember what the Eucharist is.
We talk about the Eucharist in the context of receiving as Communion. It is communion with Christ, but also communion in the Church. Communion with Christ and His Church requires shared faith, both believed and professed. We can’t claim a unity that doesn’t yet exist.
Love, Not Exclusion
This teaching may seem difficult, but it flows from love rather than exclusion. We want to respect the truth of what the Eucharist is. For somebody to receive the Eucharist, we have to be one in faith and believe that the Church teaches that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. It ends up being an invitation to everyone to come into union with the Church. In Jn. 17, Jesus prayed that the Church be one. This is the deepest desire of Jesus’ heart and the Eucharist is the deepest reflection of this desire for unity.
This discipline isn’t about exclusion – it’s about honesty and love. Communion is the deepest sign of unity, and we want our friends to be drawn toward that unity, not pretend it’s already there. As St. Paul warns, “Anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself (1 Cor. 11:29).”
Not Just a Symbol
It is not merely a symbolic participation. Even for Catholics, we should not receive Communion if we have broken the unity through serious sin. This is why we go to Confession before we come to receive Communion.
When we visit another place of worship, we respect their practices; the same is true when friends join us for Mass. We don’t want our friends to feel lost, so we need to explain some of what is going on. The Eucharist is the high point of going to Mass, and we have to make sure that we communicate how much we love Jesus. The Bible does not call us to be non-confrontational, but rather to speak the truth in love.
So when you invite someone to Mass, explain the Eucharist. Share why it matters to you. Your witness might be what God uses to lead them toward true communion – the greatest treasure of all.
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