In today’s gospel from Luke 12:13-21, Jesus confronts us with the question, what is more important, success and accumulation of wealth here and now or entering the Kingdom of Heaven? In fact, all three of our readings challenge our attachment to material possessions and the accumulation of wealth. The author of Ecclesiastes, St. Paul in his Letter to the Colossians and Jesus remind us that no matter how hard we work, no matter how much we save and no matter how successful we are - we are going to die. And the bad news is we can’t take it with us.
Our teacher in Ecclesiastes, St. Paul and Jesus are not opposed to honest, hard work, or putting aside something for the future or being successful. What they are opposed to is hoarding, greed, exploitation, self-indulgence and selfishness. Take a close look at our friend the rich farmer; it’s all about him. It is all “I” and “my.” He does not acknowledge that God might have had something to do with his bounty. He does not give a thought to sharing his bountiful harvest with his less fortunate neighbors. He does not look beyond his immediate future here in this world. He wants it all for himself, here and now and Jesus tells us it will get him nowhere.
In Colossians 3:1-5, St. Paul gives us the model we should follow now so that we can share life with Christ in His glory. “Brothers and sisters: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.”
Creator God,
Lord and giver of life,
how generous you are to all your creatures.
With such generosity ever before our eyes,
help us to avoid greed in all its forms,
to measure life’s worth
not by the quantity of possessions,
but by the life and love
we freely place at the service of others.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Lord and giver of life,
how generous you are to all your creatures.
With such generosity ever before our eyes,
help us to avoid greed in all its forms,
to measure life’s worth
not by the quantity of possessions,
but by the life and love
we freely place at the service of others.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN
