BEADS OF JOY 10-17-16
“Beware of All Covetousness”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s Gospel:Luke 12:13-21 (Beware of All Covetousness)
“One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?" And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Reflection:
Yes, this is The Parable of The Rich Fool. Have you ever been involved in the settlement of an estate, a will where money had to be divided? Or the sale of a home or real estate where the sale had to be divided? Well, that is where covetousness unfortunately begins for many. Many of us know too well what it means to be on the losing end of that. But Thank God, those of us who are, know that our investment in the things of Heaven far exceed the greed of this world. Yes, it hurts to be burned and screwed but so be it. We must move forward and forgive and know that like Mary; even though Martha worked diligently Mary possessed the greater. We reflected upon that in an earlier gospel. Though not the same type of reflection, the basic idea is there. The closer we are to Jesus, the better.
In this parable today, Jesus wants us to look through the depths of our heart and see where our treasures really are. What do you treasure the most? What means more to you than anything on the face of the earth? I’m not talking about people, this about possessions, stuff, things, what is your heart focused on and longing for and desiring so much attention these days? Is it that new car? Maybe a new home? Did your financial assets exceed the 3-million-dollar mark yet? It is not evil to want such wealth and success; it is only sad to waste your life and miss the mark when it comes to preparing for what really matters. You see in today’s parable the rich fool missed the opportunity in his abundance to share with others! He selfishly was so concerned with no one else but himself. His concern for others did not exist at all. That is the saddest part of this story. How many people, families, homeless wonderers could he have fed or gave shelter to with his abundance? Instead he hoarded his wealth and his death was in vain. What a sad unfortunate waste. His legacy was a legacy of pride and selfishness.
If we hoard and covet and protect and keep everything selfishly for ourselves and share nothing with anyone else; what good are all the blessings we receive. God has blessed us for a reason, so that we might share those blessings. It’s so obvious how wonderful God has made all things come together. While some people are so gifted in gardening and farming and they are able to grow crops in abundance; he also blesses others with the gift of investment so that they know how to invest to increase their finances. If the two work together in harmony; both will eat good and live comfortably. All that we own and possess is God’s even that which we gain in profit and crop. The profit and crop are the blessings of God’s hand in our lives. What we do with them is a direct reflection of who we really are. Let us always consider others when we have been blessed; sharing what we have with those in need and doing all we can to be charitable with a loving, giving heart. Just a suggestion, to make the world we live in a better, more harmonious place for all. God Bless you, talk to you tomorrow.
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
**(NEW DAILY FEATURE)
Today is Monday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:
The Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind and Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50
I simply love mornings, because every morning begins with the Rosary.
Rosary Man Jim’s Joyful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-joyful-mysteries_10.html
