Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Last week Jesus' teaching about prayer highlighted for us the intimacy of the relationship that God desires to share with us. This Sunday we are presented with the image of a man whose relationship with his brother has descended into the transactional - a dispute over the fair share of an inheritance. In frustration he turns to Jesus, suggesting that Jesus has become a figure that people listen to. But have they understood and taken to heart what He says?

In response Jesus shares a parable about a man whose primary concern in life is the accumulation and preservation of wealth, to guarantee his own material comfort. Unable to house all of his good fortune, he tears down and builds bigger barns to secure his fortune and his future. It’s a tale of self-interest and, in Jesus own words, foolishness. Despite having more than he needs, his first thought is still for himself.

Why does Jesus tell this story? Is it to convince the man that has sought him out that riches are wrong? Or is it related more to the context of his relationship with his brother, and the choice that he is making?

There's nothing wrong with working hard and earning a living - nor with being comfortable in life. But if it is at the expense of others, the impoverishing of our relationships, and if it diminishes our shared dignity... this is the foolishness Jesus' parable highlights.

In the parallel to this story in Mathew's Gospel Jesus contrasts storing up riches in this life, with storing up riches in heaven. The implication being that when self-interest puts distance between us and those in need, it also puts distance between us and God. What the Gospel is instead calling us to, is to see God in other people, to be present and attentive to their needs, and to do what we can to alleviate the suffering of others.

Not to build bigger barns, but to build up the kingdom of God.

As a parent, I know that I have a responsibility to look after my own. But as a Christian I know that I have a responsibility to look after more than just my own.

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