Despite some quarrels, siblings generally love each other at least until their parents are alive. Once the parents are no longer there, the siblings tend to focus on their own interests, their children and grandchildren. However, real problems usually arise when the inheritance is divided.
Even the best people can lose their heads when it comes to money. It is rare to find believing brothers who take the Gospel in their hands before starting to talk about the inheritance! It is normal to have siblings among whom one does not own any property while another would own five or six houses and still demand his inheritance.
Today’s Gospel speaks of a family dispute between siblings. Jesus does not offer any straightforward solution for the dispute. Instead, he chooses to go to the root of the problem. “Be on your guard”—he tells everyone—“and avoid every kind of greed, for even though you have many possessions, it is not that which gives you life” (v. 15).
Here, the cause of all evil is singled out: the greed for money and the desire to grab things. The disagreements on the division of family properties always arise when one forgets the essential truth: the goods of this world do not belong to us but to God. Who hoards the goods of the world for oneself, who grabs more than he or she should, without thinking of others, distort the plans of God, the Creator. The cravings for material riches are transformed into modern-day idols that humans worship.
The inheritance in which Jesus is interested is something else. He has in mind the Kingdom that will be “inherited” by the poor (Matthew 5:5). He has in mind—as Peter will say to the newly baptized—the inheritance that does not corrupt nor goes bad, nor passes away (1 Peter 1:4).
In the parable of Jesus, there are only three characters: God, the rich man and the wealth. There is no mention of his family, wife, children, neighbours, or servants. Of course, they are all there, and he lives among all these people but fails to see any of them. He has no time, no thoughts, no words, and no feelings for those people.
He is only interested in his wealth and finds ways to increase them. In his mind, there is no room for anything else, certainly not for God. Consider his monologue: His whole speech refers to “I” and “mine”… only he and his property exist. He is foolish.
The judgment of God is heavy: who lives to accumulate assets is a fool! Jesus has never condemned wealth; he never asked anyone to throw it away. He is not condemned for his riches but because “he has amassed riches for himself” but forgot God and his neighbours (v. 21).
For your reflection
What do we consider most important in life? Are there more important things for us than money, goods and power? Do we find love of God and neighbour, friendship and affection and concern for each other more significant and lasting and worthy of living for? What answer do we give Jesus today?
Father Fernando
Armellini SCJ
