Sunday, August 1, 2010
Ecclesiastes 1:2 2:21-23 Col. 3:1-5 9-11 Luke 13:13-21
The theme of these readings seems to be asking us to consider what is lasting and really important in life. The first reading warns us about putting too much stock in appearances, status, and property. “Vanity of vanities… All things are vanity.” When we consider these seriously, we have to admit that they are fleeting. We lose our looks and often our status, appearances are only skin deep, and property does not follow us into the next world.
St. Paul says it clearly in his letter, “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above.” The word above may be ambiguous or too narrow. Let us seek what really matters in life. Sometimes we find that deep in our heart, for instance, truth, kindness, generosity, love, gentleness, patience. Sometimes we look around us and find that what is important and “of God” is service to others, loving relationships, and compassion for the poor, the sick, the disabled, and the lonely. We might try to think on these things and live accordingly, as this reading suggests.
The Gospel passage is one in which Jesus tells a parable about what some would call “The Rich Fool.” This man has an abundance of land and crops. He builds bigger barns to store all his crops and then says to himself: “Take your rest, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” Jesus considers him a fool because, that very night, his life will be demanded of him and of what use will all his stored goods be to him?
There are two points to notice about this “Rich Fool.” He never saw beyond himself and he never saw beyond this world. He seems to live in his own world, bounded on the north, south, east and west by his own ego. He is self-centered. He has a superfluity of goods and yet the one thing that never enters his mind is to share and to give some away. His whole attitude is the reverse of Jesus’ message, of what we believe to be Christianity. Instead of finding his happiness in giving, he tries to conserve it by keeping and hoarding. The second point is that this man never looks beyond this world. He makes all his plans on the basis of this life. We are all going to die. As Christians we believe in an afterlife and the only things we will take with us are our love and our good works.
As healthcare workers of every capacity here at St. Mary’s Health System, we try to share our compassion, our skills, and our time with those who need our services. In our private lives, may we also aim at living simply, being aware of the less fortunate around us and sharing whatever we can with those in need. When we meet our Creator face to face, we will be judged on our love and our good works; those things are what really matter and those are what follow us into eternity.
Sr. Suzanne Beaudoin, SSCh
Director of Pastoral Care
Tags: Luke, Readings, St. Mary's Pastoral Care, Sunday Scribes
