Harsh Words to a Fool

This Sunday, we heard the Gospel reading of the Parable of the Rich Fool. This man, who has prospered greatly in his business, has such a great harvest he vows to tear down his existing barns which are overflowing, to build even bigger ones so that he might take his rest for many years. But then he hears from the Lord, "You fool, this night thy soul be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"This is yet another "harsh" parable from Luke, who has given us just recently the Rich Man and Lazarus and the Unjust Steward. And of course it is only Luke who tells of the Prodigal Son, thou reconciled in the end, he suffers much for his wasteful living. In each of the parables, the message to us is clear. None of these material things are "ours" - they are simply gifts from God. And none of it will travel with us to the next life. Let us commit ourselves to live simply with what is provided, being sure to distribute to those in need, as we are able, to minister to their needs with any excess we may be granted. As St. Basil the Great reminds us, it is in our stewardship of these perishable things, that we will be granted the heavenly rewards.