Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C
August 1, 2010
Opening Prayer
First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
Psalm: 90:3-6,12-14,17
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-5,9-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21
- Since last Sundays Gospel where Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father, he has driven a demon out a mute man, been accused of using the power of Beelzebul the prince of the demons, has taught several parables, and confronted the Pharisees by pronouncing a series of woes upon them for their hypocrisy (Luke 11:14—12:12).
- As he takes time from his journey to Jerusalem to teach the crowds, someone approaches him and asks him to make a judgment on a financial matter (verse 13).
- It was not uncommon for rabbis to be called upon to settle such disputes (see Numbers 27:1-11 and Deuteronomy 21:15ff). Jesus, however, refuses to get involved. Instead, he uses the occasion to warn against the dangers of materialism and greed. He then tells a parable which is known as the Parable of the Rich Fool.
QUESTIONS:
- In the First Reading what is the lament of the writer, Qoheleth (the name means “The Preacher”)? If earthly treasure is not lasting and “You can’t take it with you,” what kind of treasure does last? How does the Second Reading reinforce this point?
- Why does Jesus refuse to settle the dispute of the person in verses 13-14? How would you react if he refused to settle your dispute, but told a parable instead?
- In the parable of the rich fool, what is the man’s problem? His solution? Why is he a fool? What is the “punch line”?
- When have you been like the man in this story?
- Advertising is dedicated to making us believe the opposite of verse 15. What difference in lifestyle results from believing Jesus versus advertisements?
- In planning an investment portfolio to become “rich in what matters to God,” what will you do this week? This year?
- The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure (Matthew 6:21). What do you treasure the most?
Closing Prayer
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 2535-36, 2544-48, 2551
A person who lives as if he were to die everyday—given that our life is uncertain by definition—will not sin, for good fear extinguishes most of the disorder of our appetites; whereas he who thinks he has a long life ahead of him will easily let himself be dominated by pleasure.
–St. Athanasius
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Read God's Book continually; never let the sacred volume be out of your hand. Learn, so that you may teach.
- St. Jerome