10/23/2023 (Monday) Today’s gospel reading: Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
14 He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
15 Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
16 Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
17 He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
18 And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods
19 and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”‘
20 But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
21 Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

10/23/2023 (Monday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 12:13-21

The parable of the rich fool was brought about in response to the request for Jesus to arbitrate between two brothers so that they will share the inheritance. For unknown reason, one brother does not want to share the inheritance. Even today, many children fight each other in court or even physically and violently over inheritance. Some people want wealth all for themselves. Indeed, the love of money is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

Jesus then proceeds to caution us on the evil of greed. More often than not, money causes many people to be separated from others and from God. There is supposed to be no problem with regards to material blessings. As long as we recognize that money and other worldly treasures are gifts from God and that they are meant to be used for the glory of God. Thus, brothers and sisters should gratefully and happily divide among themselves their inheritance without the need for outside arbitrator. Also, the wealthy should selflessly share their blessings with the needy. Everyone must know that God is glorified when there is giving and sharing.

Go here to read further gospel reflection.