Devotional Thoughts for the 2nd Sunday after the feast of Tabernacle. 14th Aug 2011
Reading; From the Gospel according to St. Luke 12: 13-21, 35-44
Dear and Respected Brethren,
In the first part of today’s reading we find our Lord teaching a parable of a rich man who longed to construct greater and convenient store houses, where he hoped, he could store his fruits for the future. His intention was to enjoy life for longer terms by eating, drinking and making merry. In verse 16 we read, “And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully” before thinking of constructing the greater store houses. In the first verse of today’s reading, we find a man seeking help from our Lord in getting his share of wealth from his brother. Our Lord’s reply to him was “take heed, and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” (Verse 15) We have gone through this scriptural portion for many times, though we did not realize what our Lord meant when He exhorted to take heed and beware of covetousness. Have we ever spent a single second to realize the depth and width of the dangers behind covetousness? We did not so far wait and think and proceeded to the next sentence. There lies our grave and serious mistake. Our Lord used the term ‘covetousness’, to denote the excess desire or longing by the men of those days in accumulating personal possessions. In the contemporary world, we find almost all the people running after the accumulation of wealth and many of us ignore all sorts of principles, which were revered and followed by our forefathers. The present day motives of almost all are to collect wealth and hoard them for future, by hook or crook. So our Lord’s exhortation is actually very important and it is to be considered with due importance. Let us evaluate the dangers behind the covetousness in accumulating excess wealth.
1) We miss our faith in our Lord God. Almighty God provides us what we need in our daily lives. But we forget His Almighty power and place the same with wealth. Though we are intended to live in God, we stay aloof from God’s presence. We reach and remain in isolated corners than being in the company of God and His unselfish love.
2) We become selfish losing our love towards our brethren. We forget the fact that we are created and placed in the societies to care others around us and to share Godly love in us.
3) We forget the fact that we are trustees of what is held by us. We are not owners as the right of ownership is wrested with God Almighty.
4) In fact the wealth, which is perishable, could not save our lives on this earth or the lives in the world to come.
In Proverb 28: 16 we read, “The Prince that wants understanding is also a great oppressor; but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.” St. Paul says in his first epistle to Timothy (chapter 6 verse 7) “For we brought nothing to this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” And in the next sentence St. Paul exhorts “And having food and raiment let us be there with content.” We should not forget the very truth that covetousness after wealth of this world will not keep us content. Let us realize the undeniable truth that our forefathers were so happy, satisfied and contented though they were not wealthy, or in most modern accomplishments. They had a feeling and faith of a Lord God who cared them and loved them in their everyday lives.
In the second part of today’s reading (From verses 35-42) we find the exhortations of our Lord to have readiness to look forward for His second coming. Our Lord asks us to keep our loins girded and the lights burning. St. Paul exhorts us to “Stand therefore having our loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast plate of righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14) Girting of loins is meant for the readiness as a soldier does before marching ahead. The soldiers march forward with the intention of defeating the enemies. All Christians have the fight with Satan and the evil forces. We are exhorted to girt about with truth. Our Lord has told us that He is the way, truth and light. Lord is our truth and if we girt our loins with Christ our Lord, we could succeed.
May God bless us all.
Jose Kurian Puliyeril
Kottayam.