18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My dear parishioners,

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

Title Meaning: The title for the book of our first reading is the singular form of a Greek word meaning “assembly person.” It suggests a figure of influence, perhaps a teacher or a preacher. Tradition attributes the book to King Solomon, noted for his wisdom. The range of experiences exhibited in the book does seem to fit a person like a king who would have many resources at his disposal. Whoever he is, this assembly man takes a very candid look at life.

Today’s Gospel consists of an aphorism concerning greed and possessions, which is then unfolded by means of a parable of a rich man who ultimately was a fool. Lk is well known for using possessions as a metaphor for power. Clearly, that is the case here.

Jesus as Wisdom Teacher: Someone attempts to get Jesus to take on the role of lawyer and mediate a disputed inheritance. Because Jesus has no interest in assuming this legal role, he declines the request. Instead, he responds with an aphorism that would be typical of a teacher of wisdom. Wisdom teaching comes largely from experiences upon which one has reflected. It does not consist of laws and regulations. It simply echoes the way real life works. The meaning of life is not to be found in the unbridled accumulation of possessions. Greed ultimately leads to a dead end. Jesus exemplifies this with a parable about a man who thought he was rich and could maintain his wealth.

Bigger is Better: This man thinks he is rich because he has accumulated enormous harvests, in fact, more than he has room to store. The solution is simple. Build bigger and better barns. This man is convinced that he can control his destiny through his great wealth. He also believes that his wealth will provide him with the one thing he is seeking:  security.

God Controls Everything: The so-called rich man is, in fact, a fool who has made a fundamental error from the very beginning. He thought that he could control his destiny with his great wealth. His destiny, however, is really controlled by death—over which the man has absolutely no control. Wisdom teaches that only God controls a person’s destiny, for wealth and possessions are fleeting. They cannot provide immortality. Wealth, possessions, and power all promise more than they can deliver. Real treasure is to be found in serving others out of love for God. That is the example set by Jesus himself. It is also echoed in Mary’s Magnificat hymn when she proclaims, “The rich he has sent away empty” (1:53). Worshiping wealth and possessions is idolatry pure and simple. It is also foolish and ignores who God is and how life in union with God is the real source of meaning and wealth.

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved

 Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius