Eighteeth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 31, 2016
All three of today’s readings warn of the futility of the “vain” pursuit of wealth and celebrity. We just heard in the gospel how Jesus told a parable: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. And the man said to himself: “What should I do? I have not room enough to store all the harvest." Jesus does not tell us what the people say in this village, he does not tell the rumors about this rich man. No, Jesus listens to this man. The rich man calculates and decides to build a new barn. Economically, this is the right decision. But then Jesus gives an insight into the man’s innermost feelings, the man says to himself: “Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” This is touching – isn’t this something we all wish – after hard labor, after many deceptions and failures: “Sit down, eat, drink and be merry”… In Jesus’ point of view this insight may have come a bit too late for the rich man: the rich man had calculated for too long, he had lived for his numbers and his business and his planning for too long. That is why Jesus has God say: “You fool! You will die this very night”. “Take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” - I say that this insight, this wish, this vision has come too late for the rich man. Wouldn’t it be a good idea just to do NOW what the rich man says: “Take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” We do live with good and bad experiences, we do suffer from failures and losses, we do encounter difficulties in our lives – this is true. But couldn’t we take the time to enjoy our lives – now, during the holidays this should not be too difficult. And during the year we may take some evenings just to enjoy our lives, to relax, to be with others, to leave the problems of our daily lives behind, take a new breath, make a new beginning. Just take time to be human beings. Thus what is said in the letter to the Philippians may become true for us: Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (New American Bible) or, in a different translation: If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (New Living Translation).
Fr. Wolfgang Felber SJ