FATHER ROBERT TUCKER

An American tourist visited a famous home of a very wise and learned scholar in Europe. The American man was surprised when he saw how simply the wise man lived. The wise man basically lived in a single room with a table, a few chairs, a bed and some books and a small closet.

The tourist asked the man: where are all your things?

The wise man answered with a question? “Well, where are all your things?”

The American said, “my home is full of my things but you live here and this is all your have in your home?”

The wise man answered: “Yes, I’m just passing through here even though this is my home. I’m only here for a few years and I have most of my things in the hands of God.”

That is the chief theme of this weekend: We are only passing through here. So, the question to be asked is, “why do you have so much stuff ?

In our pursuit for success, joy, recognition and honor, it is easy to become tangled in things that are passing away. It is this end that the farmer in Luke’s Gospel this weekend chooses, “I shall tear down by barns and build bigger ones.” It is almost as if he believes that he and his wealth will live forever. However, at this point, death makes an appearance, and all his efforts dissolve in a single instance. If he had even thought of sharing his riches, his things, or realized he had enough and give some away now, to the neighbor, the poor or even a relative, he would be praised as a disciple; wise in the teachings of Jesus.

The Old Testament reading clearly states that those who work and save slavishly to achieve earthly status never live long enough to enjoy them all. Jesus in the Gospel decries “all those who store up treasures for themselves here and not for the hereafter.”

These passages are not to frighten us, but to touch the reality of trying to live a faith life and not just for this earth. Basically, the challenge is to live here with one foot basically already in heaven. Do not lose yourself in the fleeting things and times of this earth and forget what is above. St. Paul is aware in his writings that we as converts are to put to death the parts of you that are earthly, in order to avoid greed, and always looking for more.

The challenge for a follower of Christ is to make sure you are giving and living from the heart and thus you are building up real treasure in heaven. We are to work diligently using well the time, talents and treasures that are ours but keeping our focus and vision on the heavenly horizon.

The questions of the week might be:

l. How do you live today with one foot in heaven?

2. Do you share with others?

3. Do you feel you do not have enough and need more and yet feel possessed by earthly things?

4. What are your treasures in heaven?

The Rev. Robert F. Tucker is pastor of St. Louis de Montfort Parish, Litchfield