Let us cherish our relationships and share our blessings.
The readings for this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to reflect on
what truly matters in life; particularly as it applies to our wealth. In today’s Gospel
from St. Luke, we hear the story of a rich man who, after a bountiful harvest,
chooses to build bigger barns to store his surplus crops. It is easy to become
preoccupied with our material possessions; however today’s reading stresses
that our real treasures might not be in our homes, but in our attitudes toward
sharing and generosity. Jesus is inviting us to reflect on the difference between
worldly treasures and those treasures that are precious in God’s eyes. The rich
man’s actions echo the words from the first reading in Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of
vanities.” This phrase reminds us that material wealth is temporary and holds no
lasting value if it only serves personal greed. Instead, we are encouraged to find
true happiness through generosity and building a caring community.
When we picture our living spaces, we see rooms filled with life and
connection, a living room for gathering, a kitchen for preparing meals, and a
dining room for sharing and nurturing relationships. Each of these spaces
represents our desire for connection and support. If we care deeply for those
around us, we naturally show our love through sharing a meal. In preparing and
sharing meals, we create moments of fellowship and healing, bringing us closer
together and nourishing our hearts with love. Therefore, Jesus’ teaching that He
is the Bread of Life reminds us of the importance of sharing what nourishes us.
The Eucharist invites us to join in the divine banquet, where we meet Christ and
each other.
In our second reading, St. Paul reminds us to “seek what is above, where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God,” encouraging us to lift our minds and
hearts beyond everyday worries. When we focus more on spiritual growth and
less on material things, we come closer to the loving values of God’s Kingdom.
Keeping our eyes on what is above inspires us to live with purpose, to treasure
our relationships, and to share our blessings generously with those around us.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on this Sunday’s message, let us
think about how we can support each other on our spiritual journeys. May we aim
to become not just gatherers of worldly possessions but also caretakers of love,
generosity, and compassion. Our challenge is to build a community where
sharing is more important than hoarding and where everyone feels welcome at
the table. In doing so, we align ourselves with the call to be rich in God’s eyes,
embracing a life filled with love and shared abundance.Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor