Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Brothers and Sisters,

This week’s readings are an invitation to re-center our focus on what really matters. The actions of the rich man from Jesus’ parable 2000 years ago still ring true to what the culture values today. A lot of the media we consume today is centered around ways to make money, to invest money, and to plan for retirement. Just like the rich man, we often fall into the trap that if only I can have X amount of money I can then “Rest, eat, drink and be merry”. One of the biggest flaws with this mindset is that it is self-centered.

Jesus begins his parable when someone in the crowd asks about an inheritance dispute with his brother. He takes this opportunity to tell the crowd of an eternal inheritance. Through adoption, believers become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, receiving spiritual blessings and an eternal inheritance. Since we are all children of the same loving Father, that means that we all share the same treasures as brothers and sisters in Christ.

God wants us to use the gifts and graces he has given us to the best of our abilities. However, it is paramount to remember that true riches don’t lie in storing and acquiring treasures for oneself in this life, but rather in sharing our gifts with others. As God warns the rich man in the parable, our lives are fickle and can be taken away overnight. As you hustle and bustle through your busy life, ask yourself if you are just constantly trying to build a bigger barn for yourself for your earthly needs, or are you on the path to becoming rich in what matters in the eyes of the Lord.

-Jude Mathew, Drexel Class of 2023