First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23/Responsorial Ps.: Psalm 90:3-4.5-6.12-13.14.17(R. 3a) Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-5.9-11 /Gospel Acclamation: Mt. 5:3 /Gospel: Luke 12:13-21
THEME: LOOK BEYOND!
There is a story of two patients in a hospice. Bedridden as a result of life-threatening diseases, they found themselves in confinement waiting to exit this world. The disposition of one of the patients was that of gloom, despondency, trepidation and meaninglessness, while the other, glee, hope, trust and purposefulness. As a result of his medical condition and writhing in excruciating pain, the former was always found sobbing, and he readily wished death could come quickly. On the other hand, the latter was fond of telling jokes and very beautiful stories with picturesque description. His imagination was so wide as if whatever he described was just in front of him. The nurses were full of admiration for him because in spite of his enervating health condition which made him totally blind, he could still see the world beyond him with vivid imagination, vivacity and cheer.
The story of the first patient is one that looks at the immediate environment, the world inside of him, the world of his sickness. In contrast, the blind sick man looks beyond his world of ailment and utter darkness. He is blind but sees with a fertile mind of imagination that pierces the horizon even into uncharted, undiscovered and unexplored world outside of him. Consequently, he is able to taste life as it really is – a salad of opposites, of joy and pain, day and night, the physical and spiritual, the visible and invisible. As relational and social beings, the readings of today exhort us to look beyond the selfish self, and to develop a balanced and better understanding of life. We are aptly advised to think of others around us and to consider our future which is in the hands of God.
In the light of the aforementioned, the Gospel of today puts before us the parable of the rich fool. In this passage, Jesus teaches us the lesson of the vanity of over-reliance on material possessions and the unbridled quest for them. We read thus: “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk. 12:15). The conclusion of the text reads: “Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God” (Lk. 12:20-21). Let us explore briefly some of the lessons in the Gospel.
The problem with the rich man is not the problem of his riches per se, but the foolishness of his heart, his disposition towards God who made him rich and others who needed his help. For him, life is all about acquisition, hoarding and merriment. There is no qualms about enjoying the fruit of one’s labour, however, how one goes about its use can make them wise or foolish. A critical look at the statements of the rich man reveals that he used the personal pronoun, ‘I’, six (6) times and the possessive adjective, ‘my’, five (5) times. This attitude is reflective of a self-centred and narrow-minded persona. He never even imagined that the land on which he grew his crops was created by God (even if he inherited it or bought it from someone else!). Instead of ‘your’ land, he thought of ‘my’ land. In our world today, there are many land disputes and litigations which have taken many lives and destroyed people’s only sources of livelihood. This leaves us to ask the question: who owns who? Is it us who own the land or the land which owns us when it ultimately opens its mouth to swallow us on our burial day – whether as corpses or ashes? Do we actually exit this physical world with land, properties and money? Perhaps, we have not thought about it deeply or we simply gloss over it, but it is quite crucial to consider some of these existential mysteries.
Again, the rich man had little or no time to reflect on how the crops germinated and grew into maturity leading to bumper harvests. The rain, sunshine, air and the soil nutrients (even if he added fertilizers) were all God’s belongings. Thus, the rich man’s whole world revolved only around himself and his myopic worldview. So, he would not open his mouth without making references to ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘my’ and ‘mine.’ He was so narrow-minded. He lacked community spirit and fraternal sharing. If such a person is married, he would always be looking for his own personal interests in the marriage, and this would generate incessant quarrels and feuds with his wife and children. In politics and other leadership positions, people with similar dispositions like the rich fool, would first think of their pockets and stomachs. They would stand aloof while their constituents and those under them continue to wallow in abject poverty, disease and misery. They would not help others!
In addition, there are people who also live just to amass wealth. To them, Jesus warns: “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk. 12: 15). Resorting to corruption, kidnapping, armed robbery, looting, ritual killing for money, drug peddling, human trafficking and unfair economic policies can neither define nor contribute to a good life. Hence, in the first reading, the Teacher/Preacher (Hebrew: Qoheleth) says: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Eccl. 1:2). Why does he call it vanity/meaningless? According to him, “Sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil” (Eccl. 1:21). What is being re-echoed here is the dictum attributed to Job: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return” (Job 1: 21). Indeed, we enter the world with nothing and leave with nothing! That is just it, the naked truth!
So, what are we to do in order to acquire a balanced understanding of life and to prepare for the future beyond? The Psalmist prayerfully implores God: “Then teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom of heart” (Ps. 90:12). In the Holy Scriptures, we find God’s word which serve as light for our path, and we are to find inspiration and direction from it through faithful devotion and practice. Furthermore, we should meditate on the lives of the saints and those who lived their lives serving God and humanity, in order to imitate their faith and lives. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) quickly comes to mind. Through her life of charity, thousands of millions of people have been made better today. We should also live a life of sharing, caring, and to build a community spirit, one of solidarity, fraternal concern, warm relationships, respect and mutual love!
Furthermore, St. Paul has a recommendation for us in the second reading where he addresses the Church at Colossae in the following words: “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-2)? This pericope shows that the true child of God views everything against the background of eternity and no longer lives as if this world was all that mattered. There is salvation, eternal life, peace, and joy where Christ is. Let us think of the world beyond, the future; the neighbour living and working next to us, our community members, people outside our culture and those who speak a language different from ours.
Dearly Beloved, let us seize this opportunity to orientate our mentalities, dispositions and attitudes toward temporal goods. They are meant to serve our needs rather than control us. Let us remember our creator, to know, love and serve him. Let us also make effort to consider others – the poor and weak, the suffering and marginalised in society, and the almighty God will bless us! Do not enjoy this new week alone. Sharing is caring! Happy Sunday and do remember to #Look-Beyond#
