Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August, 3, 2025

I was saddened at the passing of Hulk Hogan. Just a couple days before hearing that news, I was actually watching Rocky III where he’s in this charity match against Sylvester Stallone’s character: A boxer verses a wrestler…That was the first time the Hulk was in any movie. He was only 28 years old in 1982. From there, he grew to be ultra famous; ultra recognizable.

But, like so many public figures, his life wasn’t without scandal. And, really, whose image could survive if it’s placed under the microscope of public scrutiny?


Thankfully, prior to his passing, Hulk Hogan came to a place in his life where he became devoted to Jesus, which culminated in his baptism only 18 months ago. And, I think, that’s an example of what it looks for one to become rich in what matters to God: God doesn’t care about success or popularity; He cares about where your heart is.


…We just heard Jesus share a parable about a person who had everything: Barns full of grain; years of comfort ahead. We would call that person blessed. And, materially, they are, yet, God calls them foolish. 


A fool, in biblical terms, describes someone who’s living life as if God does not exist or as if God does not call us to a certain way of living. Jesus teaches that those who make their work and possessions a god; that is, those who are inconsiderate of God’s law and of the poor are fools to Him…Having  wealth isn’t the issue; Jesus’ friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were likely wealthy: But the issue is whether we worship and hoard that wealth.


…I was talking to the missionary who was preaching last weekend in our family of parishes, Father Joseph from Rwanda, and he said that Americans are very busy and very stressed compared to people in Rwanda, and that many are surprised to hear that Rwandans, as poor as some of them are, are very happy people. He said, “They tend to their gardens, growing what they need to survive, and, yet, they are very happy and they spend much time at church with their Catholic community.”


…As attractive and as tempting as it is to gather as much wealth as possible, time, and time again, it's proven that wealth does not equal happiness, nor does it guarantee security: Only God can truly provide those things. 


…Hulk Hogan’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to turn to God: God loves you; you are precious to Him; He loves to forgive you. But today’s Gospel reminds us not to wait to turn to Him.


Scriptures for this day: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm

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