Today's Gospel passage begins with a squabble over a family inheritance (cf. Lk 12:13), a not uncommon battle from time immemorial. Jesus responds with an illustration of how shallow and unsatisfying it is to store up, hoard, and cling to material wealth. Yet, we look around and see large houses, garages, and storage facilities multiplying in order to meet the seemingly insatiable urge to accumulate, and not part with things we never use, but keep "just in case." We are all guilty of this in varying degrees.
As we honor St. John Paul II today, we might listen to his views on mercy, charity and solidarity with the poor. He saw poverty as an imprisonment of people and nations who are saddled by debt and helpless dependence on others for sustenance. He called for action on debt forgiveness, aid to help people stand on their own again, and a sharing of wealth in order for this to happen.
Perhaps on a local level, we could open those garages and storage sheds and see what we could sell or distribute to those who have less, or even nothing, a gesture which would help them "get on their feet" and free us from the prison of our own abundance.
Bro Rene
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