18th SUNDAY of ORDINARY TIME (The RICH FOOL)
Once there was a chronic gambler who said: “I would do anything, even the devil’s work, to see the lotto winning numbers ahead of the draw. I would become the richest man in the world.”
He got his wish. A messenger came to his door and handed him a newspaper dated one week ahead. Excited, the man turned to the page where the winning numbers were listed. There before his eyes were all the numbers that would entitle him to win millions of pesos.
* * *
He was beside himself imagining what he would do with the huge amount. But as he turned the pages, his heart skipped a beat. For there he saw his name printed in big, bold prints – in the obituary! On the day he wins all those millions, he will also die.
* * *
The story may well parallel the parable of Christ in this Sunday gospel concerning the rich fool (Lk 12:13-21). Jesus understood our craving for security, but He wishes that we put that yearning in proper perspective.
The rich farmer in the parable could be a landowner growing rice in Nueva Ecija or a real estate developer of high-rise buildings in Metro Manila.
* * *
An abundant harvest forces the farmer in the parable to tear down his existing barns and build even larger ones. With all his possessions snugly secured, he congratulates himself on a job well done. He has security. He has proved himself to be prudent organizer, a good planner, a man respected in the community.
And yet Christ calls him a fool! Why?
* * *
There is no indication that he was dishonest or that he cheated anyone or deprived them of what was rightfully theirs. What then was wrong with him?
The answer is: He was greedy. That’s why Jesus says, “Avoid greed in all its forms. A man may be wealthy, but his possessions do not guarantee him life.”
* * *
He wants security in the future, but he does not look far enough beyond death to a security that only God can guarantee.
* * *
There’s a story about a rich matron who died and went to heaven. St. Peter escorted her down a magnificent boulevard on which rows of mansions stood. The rich lady saw one house that was exceptionally beautiful and asked who lived there.
* * *
“You will be surprised,” said St. Peter. “That is the home of your katulong (helper).” “Well,” the lady said smiling, “if my helper gets a place like that, I certainly look forward to having a more grandiose mansion.”
Soon they came to an iskinita (alley) where the houses were cramped. St. Peter stopped and said, “Lady, you will live in that hut.”
* * *
“Me, live in that hovel! This is an insult. On earth I was rich and famous!” “I understand, but this is the best we can do for you,” explained St. Peter.
“You must understand that we only build houses up here with the materials you send ahead while you were still on earth.”
* * *
The materials we are supposed to send ahead are obviously not cement, sand, and gravel but spiritual like our good works, our acts of kindness, and piety.
Certainly we have to work and to save for the future, but we are sadly mistaken if we think that our possessions will give us the kind of security we really need.
* * *
No matter how much money we may have saved up or will gain – as in the story of the gambler – the time will come for God to say to us, “This very night, your life shall be required of you.” What then of your security? Where will all your piled-up wealth go?
We hope and pray that we won’t be called a “rich fool” when we come face-to-face with the Lord.
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his life?” (Mt 16:24).
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FAMILY TV MASS – is aired by the SVD Mission Communications Foundation, Inc. (MCFI) on IBC 13 at 9-10 a.m. every Sunday.
Sponsor: Mater Dei ME Community & Various Associations of BIR. Celebrant: Fr. Pablito Tagura, SVD.
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To offer Mass intentions and love offerings, call Brian at Christ the King Seminary (cf. tel. directory) or e-mail: familytv.mass@yahoo.com.
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