Eighteenth Sunday of Year C
Speech customs persisting from long ago consider the human heart a wandering organ , rather than one with a fixed place. So, for example, a fearful person is said to ‘have his heart in his mouth’, or an easily offended person ‘wears her heart on her sleeve’ . During the 1600’s, another descriptive phrase came into wide use, and it’s still said today that anyone with good intentions is properly made and, therefore, “has their heart in the right place”.
Such was NOT the case with the foolish rich man in today’s gospel. At first, there’s no indication that he is doing anything other than what most of us do, that is, acquire lots of goods beyond our needs. That the rich man does, even to the point of having to consider what to do with all his excess wealth. It seems to me, that this is the point where human nature becomes weak--we somehow develop a hard-heart condition that is all about I and my, as in “my goods”, and “what will I do with my stored riches and reserves?”. Little or no thought is given to a life beyond, whether a life beyond self (lived for others), or the life beyond called heaven. That’s not given enough serious reflection, Jesus reminds His hearers in the gospel parable. He says also that it’s foolish, and even unhealthy to the point of spiritual death, to think only of our possessions.
The writer of Ecclesiastes echoes that sentiment as he states in our first reading that “all things are vanity”. (We must understand that vanity here doesn’t mean having excessive self-pride, but rather refers to the fleeting nature of earthly existence.) People and things ultimately disappear and disappoint, he writes, causing great “anxiety of heart”. Indeed, this anxiety seems to be a heart dis-ease suffered by most of us, whether from long ago or today. Our minds DO frequently struggle to find meaning in life and to face up to the real fragility of life. Added to these worries (or perhaps causing them) is our preoccupation with possessions and passions, with acquiring and desiring.
The foolish rich man thinks he’s found a way around this fundamental life worry of how much? , and is determined to live a life of ease, but again this is where Jesus reminds his listeners of an essential and divine truth—fullness of life is not found in fleeting possessions, for this life is transitory. The truly rich life envisioned by God is rather a life focused upon others: (as in, What might I do for you? Or What are your needs?) Such an attitude, if the foolish rich man had it, might very well have resulted in leaving a lasting legacy of love, choosing a life of meaning, rather than building a false temple of security. In the midst of worry over acquiring, he dies, ignorant of that same significant truth-- it isn’t that which we possess, but what possesses us which is ultimately important.
And so, we might do a self-check here: Just where is MY heart regarding possessions and passions? Perhaps I am somewhat greedy, and if not with my treasure, then is it with my time? Am I desirous of people and things, even to the point of coveting them? Can I control that old self who wants it all (and right now) and put on the new self who delays gratification?
Sure, there is anxiety of heart due to all our preoccupations, yes our life history may be marked by that which is fleeting, but we can’t just curse our luck. Nor dare we ignore the cry of others’ needs while we acquire and accumulate. So what can we do? What are some heart-healthy spiritual exercises? What can we take for what ails us?
Well, the 2nd reading from Colossians, counsels us: “set your hearts on higher realms, seeking the things above”—perhaps this means, practically, to cut out all the excess —maybe let go of some of your control that others may live a little? Or, avoid the stressors we tend to bring on ourselves so that we might be formed anew in spirit, mind, and body? In any case, this is the gospel plan to follow: LOSE YOUR LIFE TO FIND IT-- In giving up things, we become rich, in putting aside habits that bind us, we find the fullness of freedom, and in letting go of situations we can’t control, we come to find peace and joy.
Therefore, let us set our hearts, making sure they’re in the right place, by seeking first that Great Physician, Christ Jesus, the only true life-giver that that we know. And take along these scriptural prescriptions from me, (Dr. Loving): Life IS fragile: Handle with prayer And… You only keep that which you give away. Take these; it’ll do your heart good!
Dr. Peter Loving