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18th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 31, 2011

God’s Gracious Care

Isaiah 55:1-3
Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-16, 17-18
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Imagine a bond so strong it will never break, a foundation so firm it will never fall down, and a love so strong it will never end. This is the kind of love that Paul imagines that God has for his people when he tells the Romans that nothing can separate them from God’s gracious and powerful love. It is the same love that God continues to demonstrate for us even now.

In the First Reading, Isaiah reveals to the Israelites the concrete signs of God’s love: water in the desert, grain to eat, wine, milk, and rich food. All are indications of abundance, richness, and God’s gracious care for his people. Isaiah affirms that God’s faithful love will again renew them and invites them to heed and listen to the Lord so they may have abundant life. God is the source of all good things, nourishing and providing sustenance for all. If we, too, heed these words, we can be certain that all our hungers will be satisfied by listening to and coming to know the Lord. 

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 3, 2011

Jesus Reveals the Mysteries of God’s Kingdom

Zechariah 9:9 –10
Psalm 145:1– 2, 8 – 9, 10 –11, 13 –14
Romans 8:9, 11–13
Matthew 11:25 – 30

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

This is our first time to celebrate a Sunday in Ordinary Time since March 6, just before we began the Lenten season. For four months, we have celebrated different liturgical seasons designed to help us remember and follow the life, death, and Resurrection of Christ and the life of the early Church communities as they attempted to imitate him. From now until the final Sunday in November, when we will begin a new Advent season, we will hear about Jesus’ mission and his message of Good News. We will hear, too, about the followers who carried on his mission in the world.

The last few verses of today’s Gospel passage begin with “come to me” and are unique to Matthew. The invitation to come to know Jesus and learn from him will show followers the demands of discipleship. The “yoke” of discipleship calls one to live with humility, openness, and willingness to enter into relationship with God in and through Jesus his Son. Jesus Christ is the key to knowing the mysteries of God’s kingdom.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:28 – 30).

SHARING FAITH

** How does Jesus give you rest or lighten your burdens? How do you, in turn, do that for others?

** The passage from Zechariah speaks of the king’s humility as a just savior. What does that passage say to you about God as our savior?

** As we enter the season of Ordinary Time in summer, how would you like to rest in God?

LIVING THE LITURGY

** In Jesus’ day, many rejected him because he did not praise or admire those who were in power, but instead challenged them with his teachings about love, forgiveness, and healing. This was welcome news to those burdened by society’s social or religious edicts. Jesus invited them to rest in him, but to also become disciples. Can you think of any modern examples of those who labor or are heavily burdened? How are they called to be followers, too?

** Reflect on the words used to describe God in Psalm 145. How would you describe God?

** This is the July 4 celebration of our nation’s independence. You might want to pray for various aspects of our country. Your prayer could include those serving around the world or those who are poor or neglected. It might include our use of our resources and our Church’s call to us to be good stewards. Perhaps you can make a litany of the many aspects and add to it over the summer.

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Let Your Light Shine

Isaiah 58:7–10
Psalm 112:4 – 5, 6 –7, 8 – 9
1 Corinthians 2:1– 5
Matthew 5:13 –16

If salt loses its strength and taste, it is worthless. If a light is hidden, it gives no direction or help. If disciples do not follow Jesus, proclaim his message, or do good deeds, they give no glory to God and no longer act as followers. Without action, they give no witness to the grace and salvation of God.

The passage from Isaiah gives a clear message about those who practice faithfulness to God’s covenant. They feed and shelter others. They do not turn their backs on those who are naked, afflicted, or in need. When believers act this way, their light breaks forth like the dawn of a new day. This dawning dispels darkness and sin and gives glory to God.

Jesus proclaimed a reign of God where justice and righteousness would come. As a faithful Jew, he would have known this image from Isaiah. His followers would have understood it when he told them they were the light of the world. Their call was to dispel darkness by caring for the least and powerless, just as Jesus did.

Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

SHARING FAITH

** Who has been a light to you, showing you how disciples are called to act?

** In what ways or places might God be asking you to practice mercy or justice to someone in need?

**Psalm 112 describes how one can be light in the darkness. What does that psalm say to you about how a just person should act?

LIVING THE LITURGY

** Watch the sun rise or set for at least 30 minutes. What happens as the darkness takes hold or as the light begins to appear? We hear much in the scriptures about Jesus as the light and our call to be a light to the world. How can you do some things that may gradually bring light? How are we tempted to sometimes do things that bring about darkness?

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Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - January 9, 2011

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Isaiah 42:1– 4, 6 –7
Psalm 29:1– 2, 3 – 4, 3, 9 –10
Acts 10:34 – 38
Matthew 3:13 –17

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Isaiah’s images of what the Lord does for his servant are commanding: “I, the Lord, have called you . . . /I have grasped you . . . / I formed you, and set you as . . . /a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). It is with God’s Spirit within that God’s servant can teach and bring justice to the earth, fulfill the command to be light, give sight to the blind, release prisoners, and set free those who are in darkness. It seems a fitting passage for the Church to link with Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Baptism.

John preached baptism in acknowledgement of sin. Jesus, being without sin, had no need for repentance. So why does Jesus approach John for Baptism? In Matthew, Jesus tells John to allow it to fulfill God’s plan. Matthew’s account invites his community to recognize Jesus’ obedience and readiness to submit to God and become his chosen servant. This beloved servant is God’s own Son. We, the baptized members of Christ’s body, are called, as disciples, to also become obedient servants of God.

SHARING FAITH

** What does it mean to be God’s chosen servant? How do you imagine a servant is called to practice obedience to God?

** Recall a Baptism that you have witnessed. What images or prayers do you remember from the ritual?

** How do you think God’s Spirit helps one to be a servant of God?

LIVING THE LITURGY

** Discuss the symbols and rituals that are used for a Baptism: water, oil, candles, new white garment, Sign of the Cross, anointing, pouring or immersing, blessing. Does anyone in the group remember their Baptism? Perhaps they could tell their experience.

** Read the story of Peter and Cornelius, who was a Gentile, in the reading from Acts. What did Peter learn about God? How do you imagine that Peter acted differently after this experience with a Gentile, who many Jews despised? How do you think this experience influenced Peter’s work in the early Church?

** What does it mean for you to be called by God? If you were to draw a time line of your life journey, where have you experienced that call from God? Perhaps it meant a change in your life or a move from security to uncertainty. Share your story of God’s call.

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Coheirs and Copartners

Isaiah 60:1– 6
Psalm 72:1– 2, 7– 8, 10 –11, 12 –13
Ephesians 3:2 – 3a, 5 – 6
Matthew 2:1–12

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reveals a central theme of Epiphany: the light of God’s salvation extends beyond anyone’s imagining. Emmanuel, God with us, comes for all. Paul says the mystery of God’s grace has far-reaching consequences for the world. God’s promise is that diverse people, Jews and Gentiles, who have often viewed each other with suspicion, can be unified by the promise of God’s grace and salvation. In their unity, this Church, this community they are creating, can bring the Good News to the world.

My Family, Holy Family

Sirach 3:2 – 7, 12 –14
Psalm 128:1– 2, 3, 4 – 5
Colossians 3:12 – 21 or 3:12–17
Matthew 2:13 –15, 19 – 23

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Paul tells us how Christians live and act in the world, beginning with a list of virtues and offering a code of how household members are to act toward one another. Paul emphasized that relationships with one another should be guided by what God has done for all through Jesus Christ. God’s love has saved us, forgiven us our sins, and given us peace. We are to put on that same kind of love not only in our families, but for all of God’s people.

This Sunday’s Gospel offers a final look at Joseph for the Sundays of this year and for Matthew’s Gospel. A major figure in Matthew’s early infancy stories, Joseph fades from the pages. But he leaves behind a powerful impression of faith and obedience to God.

Twice we hear the angel’s command to rise and protect his family. Joseph immediately obeys. There is no protest about how hard the travel will be, no objection about having just made a long journey, no hesitation to let him take care of other things first. In obedience, Joseph responds.

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do (Colossians 3:12-13).

SHARING FAITH

** Which of the virtues named by Paul is easiest for you to attain? Which is hardest?

** Consider Joseph’s readiness to respond immediately to God. Where can Joseph’s example help with your own choices? What prayer for help might you make to Saint Joseph?

** The Church is often called the family of God. What does that mean?

LIVING THE LITURGY

** Read the first three chapters of Sirach. Perhaps you can assign one chapter to each person in your group for in-depth study. What virtues are named in Sirach? Compare them to Paul’s list of virtues in Colossians. What phrases or images help us understand what God asks? You may wish to make a bumper sticker, bookmark, or slogan to hang on your wall or refrigerator as a reminder of a virtue that you aspire to model this season.

** If you were to write a code of conduct for the members of your family, what would you include? What code of conduct would you write for your group of friends? Reflecting on these codes of conduct, what directives would you write for relationships between the children of God? What do you think God asks of those who are in relationship with one another as brothers and sisters?

** With your family or group of friends, do something together to give life this week.

The beginning verses of Paul’s letter, only three sentences long, are packed with meaning. In these few verses, Paul says who he is, “a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle” (Romans 1:1). He tells about his mission: “the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith . . . among all the Gentiles” (Romans 1:5). Finally, he pours out God’s grace and shalom (peace) upon his readers. Like the readers in Rome we hear the universal message of God’s salvation and Paul’s call to become believers.

In today’s Gospel Joseph is invited to trust that God is with him. Faced with a dilemma Joseph is given an active part and sacred trust: “you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Joseph had faith and gave Mary and Jesus all the protection and safety within his ability. He acts as a believer whose faith and trust allows Emmanuel (God with us) to come into the world.

SHARING FAITH

** What signs do you see around you of God’s care and providence?

** Paul speaks of bringing faith to the Gentiles through apostleship. Who are Gentiles for you? Where are you called to go?

** Imagine what it was like for Joseph to have faith and trust. How does that help you in your faith commitment?

LIVING THE LITURGY

** There are places in today’s world where people do not feel safe. How are their lives or situations dangerous or life-threatening? Find out something about the situation and tell a group or your family what is happening in that place or group. Are there ways you might respond either by prayers or specific actions? Pray to St. Joseph for wisdom.

** There are many charities and places for women who find themselves pregnant and alone. They may choose to raise their child or allow the baby to be adopted. Either way, it can be difficult. Seek out a local charity and see how you might help in these situations. You might collect diapers, formula, or money for car seats. Your local Catholic Charities can help you find an appropriate place.

** Pray in quiet reflection for a few minutes each day leading to Christmas using the mantra, “Come, Emmanuel, Come.”

John the Baptist was a forceful prophet who preached a message of repentance while pointing to the Messiah. His followers knew of the works that Jesus was doing while John was imprisoned. They came to see for themselves if Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus, using the images of Isaiah, points to what they see: “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Matthew 11:5).

We know there are many in need. We have seen the powerless in our world. Their faces haunt us in our newspapers and on street corners. We know there are many who are shunned because they are strangers or are imprisoned and oppressed. Just like the Israelites and disciples, we hear challenging words about a God who cares for these very least ones. The echoes of these words reverberate across the distances. The work of this Advent is to let the word echo in our hearts and change our lives.

SHARING FAITH

** Isaiah tells those who are feeble or weak to be strong, for God is coming. How does that offer hope? Where do we give that hope?

** Reflect on the words of Psalm 146. Who of God’s people are you being called to serve?

** How are you called to be a messenger? What message are you called to deliver?

LIVING THE LITURGY

** Read Matthew 11:5. Jesus tells John’s followers what signs the will see. He names the ways his disciples are called to practice what God has done: loosened our bonds, healed us, and released us from oppression and sin. How can you do the same for someone else? Find a place where there is a need for support or help so you too may be a sign of God’s coming reign.

** Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of the Americas. Perhaps you can find a local celebration of her feast. Go to your library or on the Internet to find the story of her appearance to the poor peasant, Juan Diego.

** John Paul II called Our Lady of Guadalupe “Star of the First and New Evangelization.” John the Baptist is also known as an evangelist. What does it mean to be an evangelist or sign of evangelization? Discuss in a group how we can be evangelists.

The Israelites believed in the possibility of God’s kingdom of peace and justice and expressed it in their hope for the coming of a Messiah. Christ’s disciples placed their hope in the longed-for Savior, who showed his followers the way through his life, death, and Resurrection. As disciples, we are called to do our part to produce the fruits of justice and make God’s kingdom come. This Advent, we, too, can pray this psalm longing for a world that will bring about God’s reign, full of the fruits of justice and peace. We also must prepare ourselves to do our part to make them grow.

Justice shall flower in his days, / and profound peace, till the moon be no more (Psalm 72:7)

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Wonderful images begin our new liturgical year’s journey this First Sunday of Advent! Nations stream to the Lord’s house and learn God’s ways of justice and peace in order to walk in the light of the Lord. In Isaiah’s last words, we can almost hear our invitation to join in the walk. Advent begins and the possibilities of a new year unfold before us. We most certainly want to be awake for this moment!

Isaiah gives us an image of a people who have changed their lives and converted their hearts. When they ignored the Lord’s instructions, it led them to exile and pain. Now, they are ready to accept the commands and judgment of the Lord. This acceptance will have far-reaching effects for a new vision of peace. For us to join in this hope means letting go of all that keeps us from one another, such as swords and spears, which we know come in all shapes and sizes. God’s vision is that something new will be built from the old ways. We have all of Advent to ponder our part in this conversion and rebuilding.

For over two thousand years good Christian people have been asking why Jesus had to die on the cross. What is meant by the belief that he died for us? Here are some thoughts to get us started, but we would need all the books of the world to finish—and then some. Jesus died because he was human. He came not only to be with us but also to live like us, except for sin. He experienced human thoughts and touch. He felt human emotions and the warmth of friendship. He lived and died like us although in the end he rose from the dead, which is our hope for eternal life.

But why the crucifixion? Why all that suffering and humiliation? Aside from this always remaining somewhat of a mystery, we can say that he did this to show how much love was in his heart for us. There is no greater love, he said, than giving one’s life for a friend. We are his friends. So, as we profess every time we pray the Creed “he died for us and for our salvation.” He gave his life so that we (and all others) may have life. And is this not what happens in our good relationships? People give of themselves, their time and energy, their presence and their concerns. We continue to do what he did. In doing that we help bring the Kingdom about here and now.

Today’s Gospel reading takes the values of the world and turns them on their head. Jesus assumes the lowest position in society, suffering the fate of a convicted criminal even though he is innocent. He does so freely and willingly. How ironic, yet how powerful. God’s love is like that in that he is a forgiving, merciful King.

So we are led to give thanks at every Eucharist. Fittingly, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day about this time. So when we give thanks to the Lord for all the gifts we have received at harvest time, we should also note that Jesus gave us life through his dying and rising, life not just now in God’s Kingdom, but forever. In a sense, the cost of our living life abundantly as the Gospels mention is his giving of his life for us. It is one of the great mysteries of our faith. It invites our reflection and our sincere prayer of gratitude—homage befitting this King!

GOSPEL WORD

Each year we end the Church year with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. This year we are confronted with a meaning of king that is the opposite of what we traditionally think of kings. Traditionally, they ruled over others. They lived in luxury and everyone in their kingdom paid homage to them and paid tax revenues to them. Everything about being a king smacked of power and pleasure. Kings had it all.

But, not so with Christ the King. He is shown to us today as one dying on a cross between two criminals. This is the opposite of what a king is supposed to be. Subjects are called to give their life for their king. This king does not give his life for his subjects. That’s quite amazing especially when you realize that this king on the cross is also the Son of God. Try as we can to get our arms around this great mystery, we simply can’t. We stand in wonder and awe. When we get a bit of it, we can only give thanks. And like the Good Thief, we can ask to be a part of this Kingdom, the Kingdom of the crucified one.

One-line Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for being our King. Amen.

Today’s Gospel reading begins with reference to the eventual destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. As we know, Jesus had an ambivalent view of the Temple and its operations. He had come to transform the way people expressed their worship of God. Besides that, many of those who listened to Jesus were fed a constant meal of fearful scenarios—signs of impending doom from others. Both during his lifetime and afterwards, the political situation was precarious to say the least. Personal safety was always a concern. Plus, like today, some religious leaders took advantage of people’s fears to gather followers, promising to protect “their own” from the dangers that lie ahead. Fear can be a great motive for becoming religious. But Jesus wanted his followers to have nothing to do with such dire imaginings. He urges them: even if times get hard, even if you are brought before judges and rulers, don’t be anxious about that. God’s Spirit will guide you to say what’s best. And furthermore, fear not, not now, or in the days ahead. Trust in God’s care and love for you.

Today’s Gospel reading is really an attempt by the Sadducees to prove that Jesus was teaching in error. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the two religious political “parties” in Jesus’ time. The Sadducees were religiously conservative and the smaller of the groups. They were the aristocrats and priests who presided over the religious rituals. They accepted only the Pentateuch as their Law and did not accept any development of doctrine or religious practices which were found in later writings of Jewish Scriptures. Therefore they did not believe in the after-life, resurrection or a final judgment. The Pharisees, on the other hand, even though they were legalists did believe in the development of doctrine and therefore believed in the afterlife.

Another tax collector appears in today’s Gospel reading. This time it is the wealthy Zacchaeus, short of stature, and well to do, as we say. He also is described as one of “the lost ones.” Perhaps just working for the hated Romans was enough to make one seem lost or distanced from the locals. Judging from his position of “chief” tax collector, he probably had few friends. Unlike government public servants at the present day Internal Revenue Service, tax collectors in Jesus’ time made a generous profit from the taxes they collected from the people. So they were not well liked.

Knowing that, it is hard to believe that Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus just because he was short. It must have been more than that. At the least, he must have had some fascination with him, some prompting of faith. And the ever-sensitive Jesus must have seen that. So he invites himself to dinner—a clear sign that they have connected at some level. Eating with someone is another great sign that the Gospel uses to express intimacy with others. Two things are happening here. Jesus is reaching out to someone whom others consider a sinner. He overlooks Zacchaeus’ profession, his sinfulness. He is more concerned with persons than professions. He is interested in why this man would climb a tree just to see him. It is the beginning of a conversion story that Zacchaeus completes at dinner when he commits himself to change his lifestyle. Conversion and salvation are his.

What trees have you climbed to see Jesus more clearly? What meals have you shared with him that have called you to conversion? Perhaps your first response is the tree of prayer. Maybe it is the tree of service. Maybe it is the tree of depression, the tree of addiction or substance abuse, or the tree of doubt or grief. Even the shortest trees are difficult to climb. The kinds of experiences we have that prompt us to look for “something more” are varied. They wear different names. They evoke contradictory feelings but at their root they are the same whether they belong to Zacchaeus, the prayerful mystic, the homeless schizophrenic, or the drug addict. They are prompted by the universal longing for God. We live our lives looking to satisfy that longing. The problem is we cannot always name that longing and we search and climb trees in a lot of different places trying to satisfy that longing. The funny thing about us is we do not have to climb those trees. Jesus sees us and invites us to the meal of conversion, the Eucharist. Weekly and even daily his Body and Blood can nourish us. We can let down the façade. We can simplify our lives. We can make room to have our longings satisfied by God’s presence. Zacchaeus’ conversion appears to be radical and quick. Some of ours may be like that too. We get a Spirit prompted- insight or intuition and we change, we move from one way of living to another that is more aligned with Gospel values. It might be after a talk on stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, when we are prompted to give up a favorite “lazy “activity in order to provide time to volunteer in a parish ministry. Others are much slower. We begin to practice one act of biting our tongue no matter what, and gradually we let go of the habit of gossip and character defamation. As we change, we become more aware of the longing for being satisfied. Salvation has come to our house, too!

This Sunday we hear three parables or stories that describe life in God’s Kingdom. And they also tell us something incredibly important about God. Each one describes the act of finding what was lost—a shepherd who finds his lost sheep; a woman who finds her lost coin; a father who welcomes home his lost son. Jesus uses each of them to show that God rejoices when anyone who is lost comes back to him. God is described in joyous human terms, as one who celebrates the return of all who have lost their way.

There are always two basic questions about God. First, does God exist? Lots of people debate this, discuss this and write about it. If you are reading this right now, you probably stand with those who truly believe that God exists. Second, What is God like? Is God like a tyrant? Like an indifferent bystander? Like a stranger to us? Or, maybe he is just an impersonal force that supports the natural laws of the universe? How do the three parables told by Jesus answer the question: What is God really like?

A Gospel Word for the Home - Luke 15:1-32

First, God is like a loving shepherd who cares so much about each individual sheep, he will momentarily forget about those that are safe and seek out the one who is missing. Loving parents experience this kind of love. God is also like a woman who really counts her pennies and when one is missing, she will do almost anything to find it. She treasures every single one of her possessions. God is like both the good shepherd and the concerned woman.

The Gospel of Luke often uses images associated with healing. There is a tradition that Luke himself was engaged in the healing arts of his day. He was familiar with health and sickness. Thus his Gospel (more than the others) often brings forth questions concerning salvation. The concept “salvation” relates both to healing and being “saved” by God. Thus, this Sunday, we hear the story of someone who wants to know about how many are going to be saved. Will it be just a few, or many? Jesus could have responded that only God knows the answer to that question but he took the occasion to make another point: whoever is saved and is spiritually healthy will be those who have focused on living the journey to the Kingdom, and not so much on what’s on the other side.

They will have to get to know Jesus and his message and seek to put his teachings into practice, day by day. Doing all that requires attention and discipline, a refined focus, because the doorway to the Kingdom of God is narrow. Just belonging to a group or being first in line won’t work. It’s about being a good disciple. Being a good disciple means loving in the same way that Jesus does. For some that may be too difficult.

A Gospel Word for the Home - Luke 13:22–30

Also in this Gospel is the important idea that those who seek salvation will be coming from all directions. This is an important point to make to those who think that it’s just one kind of person or group that will be saved. No, those who will be seeking “the way” and eventually be included in the Great Banquet of Heaven will be of all kinds, the full spectrum of personality types, from all social classes, from all cultures, all religions, all parts of the world. So there’s an interesting tension in today’s Gospel: narrowness on the one hand and broadness on the other.

This reminds us of other parts of the Gospel that offer a very inclusive invitation attracting disciples to Jesus. It could be anyone! The Gospels indicate that Jesus seems especially close to the poor, the needy, the marginal, and even “sinners.” Such openness strengthens the impression that we might be surprised as to who will enter God’s Kingdom. We also have to keep in mind who’s in charge: God who has created and loves everyone. If each of us can have a similar orientation to others, we may have found “the narrow gate.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked to become a negotiator in a family feud. As he often does, Jesus uses the family situation as the springboard to invite his listeners to reflect more deeply about universal experiences. Here it is self-centeredness and greed. Notice that in the parable of the Rich Fool that in the space of the three verses where he thinks about his future (vv. 16-19), the wealthy man refers to himself ten times without ever mentioning any other person, much less God. In introducing this parable, Jesus warned against “greed.” The Greek word he used for “greed” has the implication not just of a desire for more, but of basing one’s security on one’s material possessions. A parable for today!

Over the last few years, it seems that there have been more conversations about the economy than anything else. For many, the condition of the economy, all the way from its global to its personal dimensions, has filled us with concern and questions. At the heart of these conversations and discussions there’s a huge and difficult question that we all seem to ask, “Why?” What has caused this fiscal mess? One of the answers often given is greed and of course self-centeredness. The human tendencies to greed and self-centeredness go as far back as the first humans! Thousands of years and greed shows no signs of going away. If anyone thinks that the Gospels are out-dated, they haven’t read this one.

A Gospel Word for the Home
Luke 12:13–21

Guard against greed. That’s at the heart of today’s word from Luke. But that seems to go against almost everything one hears from the surrounding culture. One hopes that all the negative talk these days about excessive greed may have an impact, but perhaps not. Contemporary society still encourages purchases of all kinds. Still, what’s wrong with all that stuff? Why is it that Jesus takes a firm stand against greed? Is it about the simple accumulation of things that we can store in our expanded barns?