Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr Dominic’s Homily
How much money is enough? Is there ever a point in life where we can say “You know what? I’ve got enough now – I really don’t need anymore”
Often the more we possess the more we want and so it goes on…
In the Gospel today we hear of a man who is complaining to Jesus about inheritance and the fact that his brother is not giving him the share he deserves.
How often do we hear this? Money related arguments…So Jesus warns us of the dangers of possessions. He says “Watch and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, against a greed for wealth, because a person’s life is not made secure by what he owns.”
Why? Because we are not designed for an abundance above what we need. Jesus then goes on to give that parable of the rich man who keeps building bigger barns to house his crops so that he can simply relax and enjoy himself.
He says “Fool – the demand for your very soul will be tonight and then who will have it?”
Wealth is fleeting and means nothing to God whereas heaven is eternal. We should store up riches in heaven because spiritual wealth can never be corrupted.
It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive for good things in life especially if we can help others. But as long as we always keep God in the equation and use that wealth wisely. The more we cling to possessions the more they will control us. Then we become possessed by our possessions. They control us – our minds and our hearts.
It is said that there are no pockets in shrouds for a reason. We cannot take anything with us when we die. The only thing that we can take with us when we leave this world is what we have given away. In order to possess everything we must first learn to possess nothing. Life is a series of ‘letting goes…’
The older we get the more it seems that we need to let go of. We must learn detachment and generosity.
We are designed for infinity and not just this world. There is so much more to us than materialism. That is why we must be so careful in how we define ourselves.
The world constantly tries to squeeze us into categories to define who we are. You are a teacher, a house wife, a liberal, a mathematician, a social worker, a transgender an introvert…
The reality is that we will never be any of these. Because there is so much more to us than superficial and worldly categories. We are all spiritual miracles and loving creations of God which means that our hearts will always yearn for the infinite and only God can fulfil our hearts.
In the first reading we heard that all is vanity. But what does that really mean. Today vanity is more associated with a sense of pride and self-love. But what is really meant from the Greek is a mist, vapour or breath. It refers to the fleeting nature of everything. That everything in this world is passing away.
We mustn’t even become too obsessed with working because it is ultimately for something that is fleeting and ephemeral. Material riches are short lived whereas heavenly treasures are infinite.
Again work and labour are good things in themselves. But there are only ever a means to an end and not an end in itself. We have spoken before about the danger of keeping busy for its own sake.
Remember Martha. Too much anxiety can rob us of the true priorities in life. We are not created simply for work but for communion with God. That’s our primary goal in this world.
The psalm reminds us that life is short so spiritual wisdom gives us a good perspective on things. We should pray for this.
The man in the parable forgot that God sees all and judges our disposition of heart. He didn’t show any charity because he was too focussed on himself. The sooner we get our relationship with God on track the better.
He should have got the keys and opened those barns for the poor and needy.
We should ask what do we do with the possessions we have and how are we using them? Has God blessed us in order to bless others?
So we must wear the goods of this world very lightly. Because when the time comes for us to give account of our personal stewardship - which could be sooner than we think – we should be aware that God is not impressed with large and well stocked barns!