Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23
Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17
Col 3:1-5, 9-11
Lk 12:13-21 Full Readings
The Greatest Treasure to Store
As human beings, planning for the future is part of us and in fact, one who does not think about the future is half human. In this way, many people invest in many things and store many treasures for themselves to use them in the future or to be used by their children and the following generations. It's tempting to say that most of these investments and preparations for the future are mostly in material things. Jesus in the gospel challenges this, not only to store material things but above all to store ourselves treasure in heaven.
Today we reflect on the parable of the rich fool who, after seeing much and surplus harvest he had, decided to break down small barns and build bigger ones to keep everything there. At this, he said to his soul to eat, drink and enjoy for everything is at his disposal. Unfortunately, God demanded his soul that night and he had nothing after death, no eternal life. This passage is yet another warning about the inadequacy of riches in helping us inherit the kingdom of God. It is only this passage in the whole gospels where Jesus calls the rich as a fool to emphasize the inadequacy of riches more.
In this little parable Jesus probes our heart - where is your treasure? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. What do you treasure above all else? Jesus tells us that we have to keep treasures for ourselves in heaven thus making ourselves rich in God's face rather than here on earth. All earthly things and riches, if they don't help us gain eternal life, are nothing. We are struggling for nothing and we better start investing in heavenly riches.
The preacher in the first reading emphasizes this aspect. All is vanity, all the earthly things we die for on this earth is vanity, we shall leave everything behind, and what shall we have struggled for if we cannot enjoy everything we have gathered for eternity. A wise man, though in this world, will use whatever he has to store his treasure in heaven. One way is to use our riches to help the poor and use our money to make friends. The rabbis had a saying, "The rich help the poor in this world, but the poor help the rich in the world to come." Ambrose, a 4th century bishop commenting on the parable of the todays parable of the rich fool, said: The bosoms of the poor, the houses of widows, the mouths of children are the barns which last forever. The true treasure which lasts is the treasure stored up for us in heaven. God richly rewards those who give generously from the heart to help those in need.
Most times we think if we have money then we have everything and we can do everything we want but unfortunately this is only human thinking. We all have experiences of people who have money and have lost their lives, have lost their love, even with broken families and above all feeling lonely because of pride. It is possible that some can gain all the things they set their heart on, only to wake up suddenly and discover that they missed the most important things of all. Of what value are material things if they don't help you gain what truly lasts in eternity. Neither money nor possessions can buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a lonely person.
Jesus himself asks us a fundamental question; What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?” In other words, Jesus is saying that it doesn’t matter how much money you make, or what kind of car you drive, or what kind of clothes you wear, or what type of degree you have. You might spend your whole life trying to earn millions of dollars and amass all sorts of luxuries and securities, but you will have done all this in vain without God. You will have missed out on the true meaning of life and the real treasure of love. Don’t make the mistake of continually trying to make life easier and more comfortable for yourself. You will only end up being hopelessly miserable and incredibly lonely.
Brethren, life is not all about possessions. We can all sometimes fall prey to the desire to measure our self-worth by our possessions. In the culture, we often idolize those with great wealth. Wealthy people seem to have it all. But Christ warns us in the Gospel to reject this assumption. Life does not consist of possessions. What matters is how well we love. As Mother Teresa told us, “There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love” (A Simple Path). Our ultimate success will be measured by the love we share with others. “If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
Everything we have is an out-right gift from God. We owe him everything, including our very lives. It's possible to give God our money, but not ourselves, or to give him lip-service, but not our hearts. This is not good at all for us as His disciples. A true disciple gladly gives up all that he or she has in exchange for an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God gives without measure. The joy he offers no sadness or loss can diminish. This is what is expected of us.
Now if our greatest investment is not in all these worldly things, where is it? It is in Jesus, in following him by taking up our crosses, deny ourselves and follow Him. Jesus is not saying we should be poor or lose everything, remember even when you lose everything and even invite suffering to yourself, you will gain nothing if it is not for the sake of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us to carry our crosses and follow Him. His cross is an easy one, that is, in this contemporary time is to follow His commandments and live all the Christian values. These commandments are summarised in one which is love. And so what Jesus implies is that in order to save our lives, we should give up our lives to love Him and our neighbours. With this we shall gain eternal life.
It is not only riches and other earthly things which we need not to focus on but also our earthly behaviours. St Paul tells us in the second reading that since we were raised with Christ, we must seek what is above, think of what is above, not of what is on earth. We must put to death the parts us that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry (greet of wealth), stop lying to one another, take off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. This way we are keeping ourselves treasure in heaven, the treasure that lasts forever.
Reflect today on where you have put your greatest investment, that which will give you happiness both here on earth and eternal life in the next life. Can you give up everything for the sake of Christ, to love Him and serve His people? Pray the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind as you reflect on these questions. May Ignatius of Loyola whose memorial we celebrate today pray for us.
Let us pray
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will, all that I have and possess. You have given them to me; to you, O Lord, I restore them; all things are yours, dispose of them according to your will. Give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for me. Amen (Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556) "
Be blessed
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