- 1st Reading – Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
- 2nd Reading – Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
- Gospel – Luke 12:13-21
Today’s readings really do seem to speak directly to us, in light of today’s society; a society where people are judged more by their wealth and possessions; a society that lures people, at an early age, into the illusion that with wealth comes happiness. We’re bombarded from all directions with the idea that possessions are good, that we need this, and we need that to make our lives better and to be happy. However, wealth, in itself isn’t bad, it’s what wealth tends to do to people. Wealth often leads to greed, and greed becomes a driving factor in many people’s lives. To understand this all we have to do is watch the evening news or read the newspaper. Money and greed seem to be at the root of many of the top stories. Money often lulls the rich into a false sense of security, just like the man in the parable of today’s Gospel. Money helps people forget how much we truly rely on God for our needs. With wealth, people often begin to feel like masters of their own fate and lords of their own future. That’s the tragic part of the parable in today’s Gospel. The rich man thought that he had it made, that he was set to live like a king. He hadn’t given thought to the reality that someday, as with all of us, life can tragically come to an end at any time. The man wasn’t a thief, or a dishonest person. He wasn’t particularly greedy. Nor was his mistake about his success or his wealth. His mistake was in his thinking that his security lied in those material possessions; his belief that his success could make him independent ——— independent even from God. Many people think that more possessions give them more freedom; when in reality it often has the opposite effect; possessions often weigh us down like an anchor. Some of you may remember that my wife’s and my house burned down almost ten years ago. Before the fire we used to joke that after living in the same house for 25 years, we had accumulated so much stuff that if we would had to have moved it would have taken a motorcade of moving vans. After the fire we moved with one pickup load. For quite a while it did seem quite devastating, but looking back on it ten years later, it truly did turn out to be a blessing. I often wonder if God wasn’t just bringing us back to the basics and reminding us of what’s really important.
As I said earlier though, wealth in itself, isn’t bad. St Augustine, reminds us that, “God does not condemn riches, only the heart that is attached to them.” There are many people throughout history; Abraham, Jacob, King David, King Louis of France, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary that were wealthy, but they knew why God put those riches in their hands. They, consequently, gave generously to those in need, and by doing so stored up for themselves riches in heaven.
Today’s readings warn us against focusing on wealth. The 1st reading shows us the vanity of making wealth our goal. We all know that when we die, we can’t take it with us. Our wealth goes to others, others who didn’t work for it. Instead of focusing on attaining wealth, Jesus tells us we need to be, “Rich in what matters to God.”. We need to store up riches in heaven, not here on earth. We need to be thankful for what we do have, and the blessings we receive every day, but we have to realize where those blessings come from. I think most of us know how blessed we are, we just need to make sure we’re thankful to God for all that he has given us, including each day that we’re here. Just like the man in the parable, our life might be demanded of us tonight.
Five years ago, when I was in the hospital, my wife tells me that I died on three different occasions. I’m not really sure if God has allowed me this extra time because he has more work for me to do here, or if he was telling me that I wasn’t ready for heaven yet and he’s allowed me more time to get my act together. I just know that I am thankful for every day that I’m here. Few people get a second chance. In today’s world it’s easy to get caught up in so many things that don’t really matter to God. When have we said last, “I love you?” To those that are close to us? Or said, “I’m sorry.” To someone we may have offended.
If we live each day for God, then when our last day comes, we won’t be measured by the wealth we’ve accumulated, or the possessions we own. In the sight of God, it’s not the quantity of our assets that will be in question, but the quality of our being.