Good Morning 08-12

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Ecc. 1:2,18-26
Col. 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Psalm 49

Jesus has a way of getting to the heart of the matter and to our hearts. Someone, attracted by the authority of Jesus' teaching, asks this rabbi to help settle a family dispute over inheritance. Jesus refuses; that isn't His role. Rather than let the matter rest there, though, he takes the opportunity to teach about what is really valuable.

Thinking back to last week's gospel, (Luke 11:1-13) what if we did ask and were given more than we could have expected? In fact, if we do the proverbial counting of our blessings, isn't that just what has happened? The problem, though, is that it becomes very easy then to shift our focus from the giver to the gifts, expecailly in a society like ours that is so tuned in to gathering "things." One good thing deserves another, it seems, and soon they have taken over our life.

Having possessions is not, in itself, wrong, but as we are reminded by Ecc., they are finally mere vanity. It is not through accumulating things that we will find the good life, or any other life.

Christian friends, rather, be rich toward God, let the life-giving grace offered through Christ be the center of our heart, or daily existence, and all the rest will take its proper place. If Christ were to return today, would you leave behind more "treasure" than you have waiting for you in heaven?

      Let me hold lightly things of this earth;
      Transient treasures, what are they worth?
      Moths can corrupt them, rust can decay;
      All their bright beauty fades in a day.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Today's idols are not what we put on the shelf but what we want for self.