Monday of the
Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21)
Go into the houses of most people today, and you are likely
to see a lot of stuff. We live in an age
of mass production when manufactured goods multiply like leaves on a maple tree
in springtime. The gospel today serves
as a warning about over-concern with material possessions. It proposes, instead, that treasure be stored in
heaven.
The farmer in Jesus’ story is a bit insufferable. As one commentator puts it, “He talks to
himself; he plans for himself; he congratulates himself.” But he is not really too different from many
in society. People talk of “looking
after number one” as if it were a particularly admirable virtue. Some plan and nurture children to fit narcissistic
designs. Others build up portfolios as the farmer
in Jesus’ parable plans to build bigger barns. The
portfolios do not necessarily make people bad; they make them rich. When pursued single-mindedly, they also make people
selfish. Jesus would add another outcome
of portfolio builders: they become foolish.
Of course, Jesus would not condemn planning for retirement
and emergencies. But he would criticize non-attention to those without resources to meet critical human needs. Before we spend all that we have on more stuff or invest all non-spent income for
tomorrow, we must assist those who are
struggling to live with decency.
Ironically, this kind of concern proves to be the best plan for the
future. Jesus makes clear throughout the
gospel that sharing with the poor deposits a treasure where it counts most.
