Father Thomas Welbers' Homily	Jump back to Homily Index
Homily for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 8, 2004 Luke 12:32-48 Wisdom 18:6-9 Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19	Listen to Audio

If there is any justice in this world, an extra-long Gospel reading deserves an extra-short homily, right?

Last week you may recall that Jesus gave a commandment to his followers to guard against greed in all its forms, and he told the story of a wealthy landowner who hoarded his riches to provide a secure future for himself. Notice that Jesus, in telling that story, did not call the rich man evil but foolish – ultimately foolish: foolish with eternal consequences. He died with full load of perishable earthly things, and went into an empty eternity. Last week’s Gospel ended with a difficult, negative image.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus has just presented us with the positive side of that image, but it’s just as difficult to hear. The good news is that we do not have to earn or merit the “inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.” God the Father is pleased to give it to us. The question, however, which could be “bad news,” is: Are we equally pleased to receive it? Are we so overjoyed at this gift that we are willing to give up all else to make room for it? Jesus’ command to sell all that we have and give alms to the poor is not an optional add-on for extra brownie points in heaven. It addresses the basic attitude that we must have as citizens of the kingdom of God. But it’s not intended to send us on an obsessive guilt trip either, nor is it a left-wing attack on the right to private property. He’s simply asking us, are the “rights” and possessions we cling to for security – and even sometimes fight for to the death! – truly are these the most important things in life, especially if we profess to have faith that our real life lies elsewhere?

© 2004 Thomas Welbers

Thomas Welbers 2004