Friday, XXXII Week of Ordinary Time
(Luke 17:26-37)
There once was a rich man who wanted to defy those who claimed, “You can’t take it with you.” This rich man arranged that he be buried in his Cadillac. He might have gone out in style but he likely did not get very far. He should have heeded Jesus’ words presented in the gospel today.
The words have an ominous tone. When asked about where the Son of Man will be revealed, Jesus answers, “`Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.’” This line alone could chill the back of a polar bear. It means to say the separation of the good from the bad will happen everywhere, but that is not important. What is critical is that all take note of the message he has made throughout his ministry and repeats here: “`Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.’” Money invested in 401(k) plans will not save us when Jesus is revealed. Rather, if we have been generous with those in need, he will find us wherever we are.
Some perhaps have not taken notice of the words because, it seems, many generations have come and gone without Jesus being revealed. Yet every person’s death may just be that revelation. We certainly believe that God judges each of us at death. He will decide whether we have lived first and foremost for ourselves or whether we considered Him first and put ourselves a distant second.
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