Reiging in a Parking Lot

It is the largest and most complex crypt ever discovered; it entombed about 50 sons of the 150 children that Rameses' concubines bore him while he reigned unrivaled as the pharaoh that confronted Moses in Egypt over 3,200 years ago. It seemed almost like God's last laugh at the arrogant ruler in allowing this recently discovered mausoleum to be unearthed during the construction of a parking lot. 

"He has brought down rulers from their thrones" (Lk 1:52). For the sacrosanct locale of his family's bones and thrones to be asphalted over as a parking lot is an indignity that bespeaks the worth of worldliness in the eyes of God. the world gazes on the shriveled grandeur and opulence of Rameses' dynasty, unearthed by pick and shovel and sees only remnant shards of his earthly power in thief-plundered tombs. The idolized lifestyles of the rich and famous inevitable crumble into the ash heap of history.

The only thing of truly lasting value in anyone's lifestyle is one's spiritual wealth - "of greater value than the treasures of Egypt (Heb 11:26). Of course, earthly wealth and fame are not evil in themselves, but gifts of God to be used for his gloryl thus money is not the root of all evil but "love of money" (1 Tm 6:10). "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" (Heb 13:5). Likewise, fame is not evil, for Moses, the humblest man of his time (see Numbers 12:3), was as famous as Rameses. "Where your heart is, there is your treasure!"

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net