Sunday Homily, July 31, 2016, 18th Sunday Ordinary Time
Readings:
Ecclesiastes 1 2; 2, 21-23, Vanity of vanities, all things are vanit.
Psalm 90, If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Colossians 3, 1-5, 9-11, Put to death the parts of you that are earthly
Luke 11, 1-13, The rich man who hoarded all his wealth in bigger barns, then died.
INTRODUCTION:
After the Jews received the commandments and oral law, they received from God the Judges; the last of whom was Samuel. During this period of time the following wisdom was practiced: Jews were to follow the example of the Judges. They were to use their free will to determine what was right or wrong using the oral law and the Commandments as their guide.
When the people asked for a king, Samuel said, ‘No!’ Why? A king would take the best of everything from you; your sons and daughters, your land, your vineyards. He will become rich and you will become poor. Do not put your faith in a king instead of God.
Fast forward through King Saul and King David, to our first reading from Ecclesiastes. The one who labored in our first reading was King David. His son Solomon, did not labor for, but was the beneficiary of all of his possessions. Solomon was worldly wise and clever; but not spiritually wise. He certainly did not use the oral law or the commandment to guide his decisions, nor did he suggest to others to do so until the very end of Ecclesiastes. Our second reading continues the teaching we are receiving from Colossians. We are to humble ourselves to be the hands and eyes and heart of Christ in the world by showing compassion and generosity to others. To put on Christ infers that we have died to the greed that is idolatry,
HOMILY: Samuel’s reasons for not having a king where fulfilled by Solomon. He abandoned his father David’s advice to him, and he lavished himself with expensive gifts. He lusted after women, taking 700 wives and 300 concubines. He had 4000 stalls filled with expensive horses. In a dream Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people with justice. Remember the parable I shared with you some time ago about Solomon and the two prostitutes? He asked his servants for a sword, saying that he would cut the living child in two, giving half to one and half to the other. He used fear not wisdom to identify the real mother. He was clever; but not spiritually wise.
In the New Testament Letter of James, the rich are reminded of the wisdom that comes to us from above. It is the good news of Jesus Christ. Those who seek him receive the Holy Spirit so that their labor is pure and gentle, and filled with compassion. The wisdom, of course, is that we are to put on Christ.
The inspired writer of the Luke gospel used the word rich to describe the man in today’s parable. This Greek word suggests that the man had more than ample property to make willingly, with gratitude, a generous gift. But he didn’t; his wisdom was foolishness. The parable is to be understood this way: The Lord’s judgment, ‘you fool,’ is how he gave answer to the rich man’s greed that was idolatry.
Generosity is always a gift of gratitude toward God. Giving of our time and talent is just as important as giving material wealth. In everything give thanks for that is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. The wisdom that comes from above is meant to be contagious, those served with love are given the opportunity to do the same for others.