Fix Your Eyes on Heavenly Things

07-31-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss

Dear people of God,

Good morning to you all. First of all, I thank you all sincerely for your great support to my native catholic diocese of Vellore through the Mission Coop program.

On this eighteenth Sunday, we are called to focus our attention on the heavenly realities more than on the earthly shadows.

The first reading of this Sunday begins with: “Vanity, vanity”, The Preacher calls us to remember God in all we do. He reminds us that there will be an ultimate end to all created things. He also reminds us that the ultimate goal here on earth is to walk our way straight to heaven. Our Second Reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, reminds us how to go about making decisions so that we can make the best use of the gifts we have been given. In making decisions about our use of time, talent and treasure, he gives us this advice: “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” He adds, “Take off the old self with its practices and put on the new self which is being renewed for knowledge in the image of its creator.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus, telling the parable of the foolish rich man, warns us against all types of greed, because greed takes our life’s focus away from God and away from serving and loving Him in Himself and in other people. Jesus says that God calls the greedy rich man a fool because the man thought he would not die soon and that he was not accountable for the way he used his riches. Besides, the rich man forgot the fact that his wealth had been lent to him by God for sharing with the needy.

Finally, let us fix our eyes and minds on heavenly things, and not only on the things of this earth. There is a saying that: “Real men and women love Jesus, and not riches!” Indeed, real men and women are those who in spite of their fame, wealth, achievements, et cetera, love Jesus above all things.

Have a Happy and Joyful Sunday!