18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

Psalm 90

Colossians 3:1-5.9-11

Luke 12:13-21

DO NOT CHASE THE WIND

Everybody wants happiness, success and abundance. In fact, no one would wish to be poor. However, riches and earthly possessions can lead us away from God. As such, what should be the right attitude towards wealth and possession?

In the first reading, Qoheleth opens his book with this famous saying that runs through his book: “Vanity of vanities, all things are vanities.” At first view, he seems to present a pessimistic view about life. Nothing can give man rest and lasting happiness, despites all his toils. At the end of his life, he leaves behind all his properties. Thus, man cannot escape the absurdity of his existence. This notwithstanding, it can be observed that Qoheleth gives us a more realistic view about human condition. For him, life is good; it is God’s gift that must be received with joy and thanksgiving.  Thus, man must live in the present, trust and serve God, for God is our Creator and the Master of our lives. 

In the gospel, the incident of a man asking Jesus to mediate the family dispute about inheritance led Jesus to warn the crowd against all greed. To illustrate this, he proceeded with the story of the rich fool. What renders the rich man a fool was not his wealth or possessions, but his inordinate attachment to these. He was obsessed and possessed by his wealth. All was about himself. In fact, no other person is mentioned in his story. Everything was in relation to his himself. This egoistic and selfish attitude is a great evil, an idolatry. As such, his greed made him a fool: “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?”

Unlike this rich fool, we need to adopt a different attitude towards our riches and possessions: detachment and sharing them with others. St Paul, in the second reading, exhorts us to detach ourselves from everything earthly: immorality, greed, evil desire, lying, etc. Indeed, our security does not lie in material possessions, but in building God-fearing relationships and being generous towards others. May the Lord help us not to put our trust in material things that do not last, but in things that lead us to eternity. Amen

18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

 18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

Psalm 90

Colossians 3:1-5.9-11

Luke 12:13-21

DO NOT CHASE THE WIND

 

Everybody wants happiness, success and abundance. In fact, no one would wish to be poor. However, riches and earthly possessions can lead us away from God. As such, what should be the right attitude towards wealth and possession?

 

In the first reading, Qoheleth opens his book with this famous saying that runs through his book: “Vanity of vanities, all things are vanities.” At first view, he seems to present a pessimistic view about life. Nothing can give man rest and lasting happiness, despites all his toils. At the end of his life, he leaves behind all his properties. Thus, man cannot escape the absurdity of his existence. This notwithstanding, it can be observed that Qoheleth gives us a more realistic view about human condition. For him, life is good; it is God’s gift that must be received with joy and thanksgiving.  Thus, man must live in the present, trust and serve God, for God is our Creator and the Master of our lives. 

 

 

In the gospel, the incident of a man asking Jesus to mediate the family dispute about inheritance led Jesus to warn the crowd against all greed. To illustrate this, he proceeded with the story of the rich fool. What renders the rich man a fool was not his wealth or possessions, but his inordinate attachment to these. He was obsessed and possessed by his wealth. All was about himself. In fact, no other person is mentioned in his story. Everything was in relation to his himself. This egoistic and selfish attitude is a great evil, an idolatry. As such, his greed made him a fool: “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?”

 

Unlike this rich fool, we need to adopt a different attitude towards our riches and possessions: detachment and sharing them with others. St Paul, in the second reading, exhorts us to detach ourselves from everything earthly: immorality, greed, evil desire, lying, etc. Indeed, our security does not lie in material possessions, but in building God-fearing relationships and being generous towards others. May the Lord help us not to put our trust in material things that do not last, but in things that lead us to eternity. Amen 

 

18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

Psalm 90

Colossians 3:1-5.9-11

Luke 12:13-21

DO NOT CHASE THE WIND

Everybody wants happiness, success and abundance. In fact, no one would wish to be poor. However, riches and earthly possessions can lead us away from God. As such, what should be the right attitude towards wealth and possession?

In the first reading, Qoheleth opens his book with this famous saying that runs through his book: “Vanity of vanities, all things are vanities.” At first view, he seems to present a pessimistic view about life. Nothing can give man rest and lasting happiness, despites all his toils. At the end of his life, he leaves behind all his properties. Thus, man cannot escape the absurdity of his existence. This notwithstanding, it can be observed that Qoheleth gives us a more realistic view about human condition. For him, life is good; it is God’s gift that must be received with joy and thanksgiving.  Thus, man must live in the present, trust and serve God, for God is our Creator and the Master of our lives. 

In the gospel, the incident of a man asking Jesus to mediate the family dispute about inheritance led Jesus to warn the crowd against all greed. To illustrate this, he proceeded with the story of the rich fool. What renders the rich man a fool was not his wealth or possessions, but his inordinate attachment to these. He was obsessed and possessed by his wealth. All was about himself. In fact, no other person is mentioned in his story. Everything was in relation to his himself. This egoistic and selfish attitude is a great evil, an idolatry. As such, his greed made him a fool: “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?”

Unlike this rich fool, we need to adopt a different attitude towards our riches and possessions: detachment and sharing them with others. St Paul, in the second reading, exhorts us to detach ourselves from everything earthly: immorality, greed, evil desire, lying, etc. Indeed, our security does not lie in material possessions, but in building God-fearing relationships and being generous towards others. May the Lord help us not to put our trust in material things that do not last, but in things that lead us to eternity. Amen

17TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Genesis 18:20-32

Psalm 138

Colossians 2:12-14

Luke 11:1-13

THE HEART OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER

Last week, we were challenged to always find time to sit at our Lord’s feet, listen to him and speak to him in prayer. Today’s readings bring us to the heart of Christian prayer. In effect, the first reading narrates the story of Abraham interceding for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah before God. For God wanted to destroy them because of their wickedness. The responsorial psalm is a prayer of thanksgiving to God who always listens to those who call him. In the second reading, St Paul tells us that we were dead because of our transgressions. But God has forgiven us and brought us to life in Jesus Christ.

In the gospel, one of the disciples asks Jesus to teach them how to pray. In response, Jesus does not only teach them “how” to pray, but also “what” they should say while praying. Hence, he gave them the prayer traditionally known as “The Lord’s Prayer” or “Our Father” Prayer. This powerful prayer, which can be said to be a compendium of the Gospel (Tertullian), has become the most ancient and widely used Christian prayer. Then, Jesus proceeded with a little teaching on prayer. 

I would like to highlight three things in today’s readings. First, the Lord’s Prayer does not only tell us who God is, but also who we are. We affectionately call God “our Father” because we are his children and He cares for us. It is through prayer therefore that we express our dependence and intimacy with him. Second, the Lord’s Prayer is a “WE”-Prayer, not an “I”-Prayer. This teaches us that like Abraham, we must not think only about ourselves while praying. Rather we should intercede for other, and pray with them and for them. 

Finally, the parable of the persistent midnight caller who kept badgering his friend invites us never to get tired of praying. It is true that praying is not easy, and maintaining a constant prayer life is even more difficult; but it is also true that a Christian cannot live without prayer. So, even when God seems to be silent and delaying, we should not be discouraged and give up. Trust, patience and perseverance are keys to open God’s treasury room. May we learn to trust God and pray always that his will may be done in our lives. Amen

16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Genesis 18:1-10

Psalm 15

Colossians 1:24-28

Luke 10:38-42

PRAYER AND ACTION

Today’s readings invite us to take a fresh look at hospitality and how to combine prayer and action in our daily life. In the first reading, Abraham welcomed and offered hospitality to three unknown men in his tent. These men turned to be messengers of God, and Abraham’s generosity turned to be a blessing to him and to his barren wife Sarah. This passage can be summed up in the words of Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” 

The Gospel reading offers another story of hospitality. Martha and Mary received in their house at Bethany Jesus and his disciples as they were on their way to Jerusalem. At the beginning, both put Jesus at the centre of their attention but in different ways: Martha in serving the immediate needs of the guests, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him. The problem arose when Martha complained to Jesus that she had been left alone to do the serving all by herself. By saying that Martha was worrying too much about serving, Jesus did not mean to undermine her serving, nor to hail contemplative life over active life. He wanted to point out that Mary had chosen the better part that no one could ever take from her. 

Most often we act like Martha. Many of us are lost in sterile activism on a daily basis without knowing what must be our priority in life. We want to do it all and be excellent in many areas. But we forget our spiritual health, our closeness with God. We run all day and end up tired so much so that we are unable even to pray. We become easily frustrated. Even during liturgical celebrations, we become much distracted and are in a hurry to get out as if somebody is chasing us out of the church. 

Like Abraham and Martha, we must show concern and hospitality to those who come to us. Nevertheless, like Mary, we must always find time to sit at the Lord’s feet, listen to him and speak to him in prayer on a daily basis. By so doing, we will become true ministers at the service of others and get strength to bear gladly the difficulties and suffering we meet like St Paul in the second reading. May the Lord bless and keep all of us. Amen