“SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” (Col 3:1)

⏰Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

📖Eccl 1:2, 2:21-23; Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17(R.v.1); Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21

🎤”SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” (Col 3:1)

My dear, two Sundays ago, we were told of the importance of serving God how he NEEDS to be served instead of how we WANT to serve him. Last Sunday, we learnt that the best way to dialogue with God and know his will for us is through prayer. It is obviously dangerous to think about ourselves without bothering about what God wants of us. The parable of the rich fool in today’s liturgy tells us that much.

Considering the First Reading that tells us about the vanity of the things of the world, the Second Reading which encourages us to set our minds on heavenly things, and the Gospel which carries the same message, one might be misled into thinking that today’s liturgy is CONDEMNING riches and earthly things. I doubt if God would condemn the wonders of his hand. The warning is rather against thinking that our security comes from these material things and being distracted by that.

In the pericope (Matt 12:1-12) before our Gospel of today, Jesus already counselled his followers against feelings of insecurity because God would always provide whatever they need. The question of that voice from the crowd shows that the owner of the voice was not listening to Jesus; he was distracted by quest for material possession.

Our world today is bedeviled by the same craze after material possessions and success. A great percentage of the problems we have these days emanates from this. That is why, instead of attending to the dispute which was brought before him (cf. Luke 12:13), he went to the root of the problem – greed (cf. Luke 12:15). Greed leads us into thinking that everything begins and ends with us, and must revolve around us. Did you not notice that in the life of the rich fool? Everything about him in that story was on “I”, “my” and “myself.” He had no regard for people around him.

Aside the selfish tendency, he thought that his life depended on his possession. He spent so much time acquiring this possession and just about the time he sat down to enjoy, his life was demanded of him. Now, even his enemies will have a share of it at his funeral. The First Reading considers this as foolishness.

Therefore, the way out is to spend our time working for things that would help us to journey smoothly into eternal life. Jesus himself promised that if we can do that, every other thing, including our material needs, would be added for us. Charity and regard for those around us are some of those ways to eternal life.

Are you ready to embrace them?

Have a beautiful Sunday in fellowship with God and your neighbours. It is well with you.