Jesus reminds us that we are not meant to make our lives about collecting possessions and treasure. Dan Finucane, SJ, reflects on what it means to be rich by giving all that we have to others. Based on the readings for Sunday, July 31, 2022.
God calls us to share, eat, drink, and be merry together.
Hi, my name is Dan Finucane and this is my One-Minute Reflection.
Today, the farmer in Jesus’ parable embodies two core values of our culture: “You are what you possess.” And “Take care of number 1!”
But St. Ignatius of Loyola warned that building up riches for ourselves means we focus more and more on ourselves. Rather, he says that everything we have – even our very lives – is a gift from God. And gifts ain’t for keeping, they’re for giving away!
The farmer in the parable misses this. He may very well rest, eat, drink, and be merry, but he will be doing it alone.
We are called today to throw a feast, where we share what we have received with others. At this feast, it isn’t I who am rich, but we who are rich, by eating, drinking, and delighting together in the gifts of God. It is this feast – this kingdom – that Jesus invites us to today.
