Since you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:1-3
In this book “Theory of the Leisure Class” early 20th century sociologist Thorstein Veblen developed the concepts of pecuniary emulation and conspicuous consumption to describe the drive for status and recognition through the competitive purchasing and display of expensive luxury goods. This ego-driven focus on earthly status and material possessions for the enjoyment of the I, the me, and the my are not unfamiliar to us. It is not uncommon for members of Western nations to seek to “keep up with the Joneses”, or even to out-Jones the Joneses. Hyacinth Bucket knows what it takes.*
In Jesus’ day, honor and shame were shaped and upheld by consumption just as today. Wealthy patrons signaled their high status by showing beneficence to clients. Clients were ranked by who was invited to share in the display and consumption of wealth and where one sat at such gatherings. We do such things today and curiously, many who will never be invited, are fascinated by reading guest lists and narratives of conspicuous consumption. I guess for some vicarious enjoyment is better than nothing at all.
While Jesus tells us that his way is the way of sacrifice and serving, of taking up one’s cross and following him, our eyes and hearts might remain fixed on the rules of this world and what this world offers. His disciples James and John want to sit at his right hand in power. Peter wonders what he will get having given up everything. The rich young man went away sad because he was told to sell everything and give the money to the poor. A landowner faced with a fortunate windfall decides the appropriate thing is to build larger storage barns and keep even more to himself, for himself.
Do recall that the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness were about gaining worldly power, wealth, and honor. We are given these and many other scriptures for our reflection. Where are we in this whole worldly, possession possessed life? As Jesus had a choice in the wilderness, as the disciples had a choice to follow or not, we are presented with a choice: eyes upon the world and its ways or eyes raised to heaven above and the way of Jesus.
The Pauline writer to the Colossians exhorts the faithful to raise their heads, to look up and recall that they have a new status and a new treasure beyond anything the world can offer. In Christ, they are co-heirs of the Kingdom of God, owners of everything and lacking nothing, beneficiaries of eternal life. It is a choice we have either to embrace or not to embrace this exhortation in our being and our doing. Which choice will we make and how will that choice affect how we will live? Will it be pecuniary emulation, conspicuous consumption, and building larger barns or being rich toward God in caring for the things God in Christ cared for?
Grace and peace,
Fr. Bill +
* Hyacinth Bucket (Bouquet) is the lead actor in Keeping up Appearances, a British sitcom about a middle class family attempting to pass as superior to their standing and class background.