(The feast if the Assumption is transferred to Sunday 21st August in South Africa.) August 15th  Materialism. One of the group raised the topic of materialism and even vanity.  “I was thinking of the Scripture story of the rich young man who was asked to sell all his possessions and follow Jesus,” Joann said. “We always hear this story and think of a young man but would it not apply equally to a woman?  Are women more materialistic, more vain, more interested in clothes and nice things than men, or are their desires just different?  I think that this challenge that Jesus issues is probably one of the most difficult ones to respond to. Quite honestly I think most people I know would “go away sorrowful” whether they are rich or poor if asked to give up everything.”  “We know that Pope Francis often  declares: ‘I would like to see a church that is poor and is for the poor.’   

 “If you would be perfect go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.  The young man heard this and went away sorrowful.  Matt 19: 20-22. Pope Francis:   This is hardly to suggested that we cease warning against a cultural decline that fails to promote love or self-giving.  We treat affective relationships the way we treat material objects and the environment: everything is disposable; everyone uses and throws away, takes and breaks, exploits and squeezes to the last drop.  AL39.  Many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. LS 14