Roller skates
- Gary Fritsch
- Nov 8
- 3 min read
When I was a kid, my Dad played the piano, and particularly around the holidays we would gather and sing some songs. One of the funny songs my Dad would lead us in was “I aint gonna grieve my Lord no more”. The song, through funny verses, would talk about different ways that would not get you into heaven, for example: you can’t get to heaven, in a limousine, ‘cause the Lord don’t sell, no gasoline.” Or “you can’t get to heaven, on roller skates, you’ll roll right by, those pearly gates.” – and many silly others.
I have actually recalled this song at times, when seeing a limousine, or perhaps roller skates and it gives me pause to think: what are we really pursuing? And how hard are we pursuing it? It’s this last question and the answer to it that can leave me a bit cold. In today’s Gospel, Jesus sets up a dichotomy: God on one side, Mammon on the other. Going toward one would mean turning your back on the other. This is a common Hebrew context. Mammon is interpreted by some as simply ‘money’, or ‘wealth’. Others, including some of Christianity’s greatest writers, would paint an even darker picture. John Chrysostom would define it as ‘greed’ and Peter Lombard would say it is the ‘devil.’ We don’t have to go all the way to Lombard’s end of the spectrum, though to see how our pursuit of money might be counter to our pursuit of God, especially in one particular way.
Jesus was talking about where our HEART is. Many people (I think it used to be most) start very nobly at the prospects of a profession. They want to do something that matters, that makes an impact, or even more nobly – they want to help people. Along the line, they also adopt the healthy notion that being able to support a family is a worthwhile element of their career aspirations. But for most (I think it used to be just many) the pursuit of the money itself begins to loom larger and larger. Job offers and raises and bonuses seem to be the ultimate measure of the ‘good’ that you are doing in your job. They are a very persuasive affirmation of your skills and abilities in the field of endeavor that you have chosen, and just as we all love to receive genuine compliments – money talks. A boss saying ‘great job’ is nice, but getting a bonus is a real compliment.
I am going out on a limb here, and assuming that my experience (loosely reflected above) is not unique. At some point, the money becomes the point. We want to do a great job, because it means a better raise – or more precisely: we want to do a great job IN THE WAY that means a better raise. In my experience, that sometimes meant choices and actions I would not normally choose to do, absent the job and money incentive. Well now, which direction are we turned: God or Mammon?
These are not simple things, but over time, we can continue to pray and choose with God in mind. We can ask ourselves the tough questions when it comes to job opportunities. Last week when we heard about Zacchaeus giving up half of his wealth, I asked myself if I could live on half of my wealth? The answer for many of us is: yes. That doesn’t automatically mean we should, but it means that we have plenty of room to choose God – to allow Him to have our hearts while we go about our work and about providing for our families. Otherwise, our ‘careers’ may be much shorter than God desires for us.
‘Cause you can’t get to heaven in a Ford V8, you’ll speed right past, St. Peter’s gate.
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