He, along with other Church Fathers…and, if you think about it, Christ Himself…were very emphatic about the dangers posed by excessive wealth. (Consider, for but one example out of many, Matthew 19:21-30).
However, and please consider this before commenting, the very concept of government social programs was not a player in 4th Century Rome. Consider this little ditty, also from St John Chrysostom:
Should we look to kings and princes to put right the inequalities between rich and poor? Should we require soldiers to come and seize the rich person's gold and distribute it among his destitute neighbors? Should we beg the emperor to impose a tax on the rich so great that it reduces them to the level of the poor and then to share the proceeds of that tax among everyone? Equality imposed by force would achieve nothing, and do much harm. Those who combined both cruel hearts and sharp minds would soon find ways of making themselves rich again. Worse still, the rich whose gold was taken away would feel bitter and resentful; while the poor who received the gold form the hands of soldiers would feel no gratitude, because no generosity would have prompted the gift. Far from bringing moral benefit to society, it would actually do moral harm. Material justice cannot be accomplished by compulsion, a change of heart will not follow. The only way to achieve true justice is to change people's hearts first - and then they will joyfully share their wealth.
Msgr Pope ping.
It's no surprise that the Fathers knew this from the beginning.
As to Msgr. Pope's comments, in this case they fall rather flat for me. The fact that he doesn't have a spouse and children shows, imo. You can leave "things" behind, but not the people for whom you're responsible.
Ping!
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Or, as Kris Kristofferson said, “freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”
Not surprised by this writing. As we go into the season of quiet, of summer vacations, pilgrimages, retreats, day treats, etc., and of much more free time to reflect, Msgr. Pope goes into the reflections of the saints.