So much for the talk of sowing and reaping but what do we do with the harvest? In Luke 12:18 we find Jesus warning about having the attitude of the landowner who in the light a a potential bigger harvest said “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.”
The Dalai Lama reminds us that “We are human beings, not human doings”. On our last day we will truly understand the difference between what perishes and what remains imperishable. Lord, grant that that knowledge will not come too late for me.
In our Western society, we are driven to acquire more wealth, more possessions, more status. Today, Jesus reminds us that, when we leave all this behind, we will be asked what spiritual riches we have accumulated. Our good deeds are the only thing that will outlive us. What treasure will I accumulate that I can carry with me to the afterlife?
This is the parable for our times, where most of us seem obsessed with the idea of accumulating more and more possessions, as if the value of our life depends on how much we possess. I might not be the greedy person who is ready to trample over others to get more things, but I need to ask myself to what extent do I place my security in material things. I ask for light and for more inner freedom.
As the parable says, what really matters is making ourselves rich in the sight of God. I humbly ask God to show me what that means in my case. I ask for wisdom, not to deserve being called a fool like the rich man in the parable.
Lord, guard our hearts by your Holy Spirit against greed! We know that life - true life - is not measured by the amount of stuff we accumulate or the title we hold or the number of followers or likes we get. Reveal to us what actions or activities in our lives are actually motivated by greed, and give us the courage to do something about them today! Amen
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