19th Sunday in Ordinary Time ( C-cycle )
August 12, 2007

On pick-up days you see them lined up along the curbs: sofas, recliners, lamps, every conceivable item of furniture, things that once set pulses racing, that gave pride of ownership, now things that  went unsold at tag sales, now reduced to trash. Jesus tells us, “Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out.”

 

The Courant headline reads, “Going crazy for L.L. Bean”. It’s accompanied by a picture of people standing in the rain awaiting the grand opening. Some of them have camped out all night there. Jesus tells us to treasure what no moth can destroy; Even L.L. Bean products can end up as food for moths.

 

Psychologists tell us some people shop out of deep need. They may call themselves consumers but they are the ones who are consumed by buying and having. Down deep they believe they are defined by what they possess, they are given worth by the things they own. They are afraid that others may have more.

 

Jesus says, “Do not be afraid…your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” I remember when I was a young priest, someone gave me a generous gift, and I thought I would invest it. The first question the broker asked me was, “What are you worth?” and it was clear that according to his standards I wasn’t worth very much. Jesus is telling us we are worth much more than we own. “Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” Wow, we have been given a treasure! Do we realize that? Do we understand that we are of immeasurable value because God loves us and has created us in His own image, has died for us and wants us to share His new and glorious life?

 

Shopping, buying having---these aren’t what is important. Being is. We are children of God, destined for immortality. That makes us more valuable than all the money in the world. Jesus tells us in fact: Don’t have too much. “Sell your belongings and give alms.” Buying and owning and consuming should give way to giving and sharing.

 

I once saw a bumper sticker that read something like this: In the end the one with the most toys wins. Not in the Christian way of thinking. According to Jesus, life is like one of those card games in which you are penalized for holding high cards at the end. Treasure what’s really important and you’ll end up a winner.