Asking the Clergy: How does the role of religion change in times of prosperity?

Religious faith can be comforting during hard times, when many people need solace and support. But as Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, the economy continues to improve. This week’s clergy discuss how periods of prosperity can be harnessed to help ourselves and others, who may still be less fortunate than we are. 

The Very Rev. Christopher D. Hofer

Rector, The Church of St. Jude (Episcopal), Wantagh

As a privileged resident of the First World and a member of the “me” generation, I expect my basic needs to be cared for. There have been times in my life I have been prosperous, and there are times I have been wanting. Regardless, my life has always been abundant in blessings.

Out of abundance comes the need for me to remember prophetic teachings, such as what Jesus said in Luke 12:13-14a: “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.” Moses declared, “If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). A saying attributed to St. John Chrysostom warned, "If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find him in the chalice."

Never does my faith tell me to use my prosperity for my own selfish reasons. Instead, God insists that through unselfish giving I am able to recognize the humanity of the “other.” Whether rich or poor, I am challenged to use my gifts to assist even one person. Who knows? That person may be an angel in disguise.

The Rev. JoAnn Barrett

Senior officiant, Gathering of Light, Melville

This question is harder from the perspective of a spiritual organization such as ours, which is not bound by dogma and doctrines. Our organization attracts those who have been wounded, discouraged or simply have a yearning for more. These individuals arrive when they are low, in pain and searching. Once they find healing, the expectations change. This is the time of their prosperity, when the soul is nourished.

I believe the role of the spiritual community is to be a place of sacredness, spiritual support, education and service to the larger community, as well as a means of social fulfillment. During times of prosperity, it is the role of the individual that needs to change from needing help to serving others. The amount of service one offers a wounded or hurting person, just by being present, is profound. Imagine if no one was at a service you attended when you were feeling alone and hurting? What a difference it makes to show up and let others know that there is a light at the end of all the troubles that afflict us in our daily lives. This goodness means remembering those who are less fortunate and finding ways to help.

The more prosperous we are, the more opportunities we have to deepen our religious ideals. We have the luxury of time for more meditation, reflection and prayer.  

Hai-Dee Lee

Buddhist representative, Long Island Multi-Faith Forum, Dix Hills 

Buddhism is about our personal inner journey to enlightenment. This fundamental Buddhist philosophy has never changed for more than 2,500 years, since the original teaching of the Lord Buddha. It remains the same regardless of the changes in our environment, through many cycles of prosperity and recession, in war or in peace, in glory or in defeat, in joy or in frustration. It makes no difference in our practice, or in our goal to reach inner peace and enlightenment.

The essence of Buddhist practice has always been on the fundamental training of the mind to be free of physical and mental suffering. Buddhists realize that all is impermanent. If it is bad times, then good times will return, and vice versa.

When we are experiencing abundance, we must avoid becoming attached to external things, as they will not bring us permanent happiness. The wealth obtained in prosperity won’t last forever. One should not be distracted by our wealth, which will only lead to suffering when it goes away. The Buddha teaches us always to follow the middle way to reach inner peace and true wisdom, and not be swayed by either prosperity or poverty.