In order to understand today’s Gospel more fully, we have to take a step back at what was happening before it. Preceding this account, Luke tells us that there were so many people crowding around Jesus and the Apostles that the crowd was literally trampling one another (12:1). In the midst of this crowd, what follows from our Lord is a thoughtful look into what genuine discipleship is. He turns to His disciples and reminds them not to be hypocrites like the Pharisees, setting the stage for why He’ll be sharing the parable He does in today’s Gospel.

There seem to be two ways you can take today’s words from Christ. On the one hand, there is the obvious: don’t be greedy and obsess over accumulating material things. And yet, there is a deeper spiritual significance to this passage I’d like to reflect on with you.

In the Gospel a man from the crowd asks Jesus to tell his brother to share his inheritance. In these times, when your father passed away, the family would receive an inheritance of all his possessions, the largest portion of which would go to eldest son. He gets the most land, possessions, and wealth. This man who is pressing Jesus in this passage is essentially saying: “I want as much as my brother has." So what does Jesus tell him instead? “Guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions…the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” 

Apply this to your life: are you spiritually and personally greedy with God? Are you envious of the happiness or gifts He has given others? Do you constantly desire God give you more than what you have – happiness, success, gifts, talents, etc.? Do you desire that God give you more than others? If so, we’ve fallen into the same kind of greed and hypocrisy that Jesus warned His disciples not to fall into going into this Gospel reading when He was talking about the Pharisees.

I think we all fall into this. There are many times absolutely in my own day to day life that I am tempted into this kind of spiritual and internal greed: “Jesus, I wish I was happier. Jesus, I wish I were better than that person at such and such. Jesus, I wish I had the life or gifts that they have.”

Jesus offers us the life-giving alternative: be “rich in what matters to God”. What matters to God? You do. Namely, that, come what may, you live in the simple truth that God has made you for Himself, has given Himself completely to you, and calls you home to Himself in a unique path of love that will glorify Him through gifts, talents, and possessions singular to your path of holiness. 

All God wants is you, all of you, exactly for who He has made you to be. Love Him with all you are today. AMDG.

How are you spiritually and personally greedy with God? ​

Do you constantly desire God give you more than what you have – happiness, success, gifts, talents, etc.? ​

How can you be rich in what matters to God?

God wants you. What is one thing you can do to live for Him?

One of the most common struggles we often have in our relationship with God is that we don't see Him as relatable. Many people see God as this far off and distant being that created us, interferes in our lives when necessary, and helps our favorite football team win sometimes. The truth is, He is not distant at all. He is intimately connected with our lives and and wants us to connect more with Him. He knows our struggles, not just because He knows us, but He went through them Himself. He suffered so that He could lead us by example.

The role of the priesthood is to sacrifice on behalf of the people. Jesus is the high priest talked about in today's ready. Jesus suffered for us and not only made an offering on our behalf, but He became the offering on our behalf. His sacrifice gives us the grace and strength to be true Christians and follow in His footsteps of love. It isn't easy, but it is possible. He showed us how by the way He lived His life. He knows our pain, feels our pain, hurts from our pain, just like we do. Especially in those moments of pain, let us stop seeing God as distant, but rather as intimately united with us. Let Him into those moments and watch Him turn those sacrifices and sufferings into incredible blessings as well.

What are sometimes you dealt with suffering and pain in your life?

Where you able to unite those sufferings with Jesus? Why or why not?

Do you see God as distant or close to you? Why?

"Jesus, I trust in You."

"Here's my heart Lord."

"Come Holy Spirit."

Do not run from suffering and pain. Let the High Priest, Jesus, take that offering and transform it into something amazing.

This passage of St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians is so beautiful. Paul writes to the Ephesians telling them that he never stops giving thanks to Jesus Christ for them and their faith. Why? Because in that thanksgiving, he prays that God might reveal himself to the people in order to allow them to know him, and in knowing God they will be able to experience the inheritance won for them by Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection. 

When is the last time you told a friend something like that?

What if you and I, in our friendships, family relationships, and other relationships in our life genuinely prayed for that same kind of thing that St. Paul is saying in this letter? What if the main goal of each of our friendships was genuinely an encounter with Him who has placed all things under his feet as he sits in glory? 

In reality, this is the goal of every relationship we have, it's just not always one we realize. The point of community, the point of friendship, the point of all relationship is that we lead one another to Jesus. And then, when those around us move towards Jesus, we rejoice, we give thanks, we celebrate. 

Let's celebrate one another on our journey towards Jesus, letting every relationship we have push us closer and closer to the hope that belongs to the call of knowing Jesus.  

How do your friendships compare with the one St. Paul has with the Ephesians here? 

In what ways can you challenge those who are your friends in their relationship with Jesus and let them challenge you?

What is one way God is calling you today to pause and allow him to take you deeper into relationship with him and the hope that comes from following him?

"Jesus, I trust in you."

"I give you thanks."

​"Lead me to deeper friendship."

Take the example of St. Paul today and tell a friend who you have a good, positive relationship with why you are thankful for them. Seek out a friend or two who you know is seeking Jesus in their faith and affirm them in that, and invite them to challenge you in your own faith as well. 

​You have been CHOSEN. From all eternity, our Lord knew you would be praying with this Scripture passage today, and He knows how the rest of your day is going to go. The Lord continues to choose you on both the good days and the bad days, regardless of our fleeting emotions or hot mess moments. God not only has a plan for your life but also you are a part of God’s plan for this world! 

At your Baptism, you were sealed the Holy Spirit and received an indelible mark on your soul, which nothing and no one can ever wash away. As St. Paul says in today’s first reading, that seal is the “first installment of our inheritance.” I think many of us often walk around thinking that our Baptism was just one more nice moment among many in our lives and forgetting that our Baptism is the reality in which we are supposed to walk each and every day. When we are born into the Catholic Church, we are given a portion of our inheritance right away and are called to live as children worthy of such an incredible, eternal inheritance. Every step we take in this life should be a step in the direction of the fullness of life and inheritance that awaits us in heaven. Even when we stumble and fall, we can get back up knowing that we “exist for the praise of his glory.” May our lives be a testament to the beauty of being chosen by God day after day and living in his light.

Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? That you are part of His plan for the world?

Do you ever consider the promises made at your Baptism? The gifts given by the Spirit?

Do you know that the world is different because of you, because of your voice, because of your gifts? You make a difference.

"I am chosen."

"I matter to God's plan."

"God has a plan for me."

Take some time today to reflect on the gift of your Baptism. You were anointed "priest, prophet, and king." You were given a unique place in this world to make a difference for God. Write down one thing you can do this weekend to participate in His plan.