A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
Dr. Karl Menninger, an American Psychologist, had a patient who was very wealthy but always unhappy. He asked his unhappy, wealthy patient what he was going to do with his huge wealth. The simple reply was, ‘that’s what I’m worrying about Doc’. Dr. Menninger probed him further, “do you get pleasure in worrying?” “No, he replied, but I get terrified when I think of giving my wealth to somebody”. Finally, Dr. Menninger said something to him that was quite profound: “generous people are rarely mentally ill”.
All three readings talk about greed and how it can lead someone to be self-centered, sinful and push away from God. Greed drives one to accumulate wealth or ego, causes harm to oneself and creates hostility with others.
The lesson learned from the parable of the ‘foolish rich man’ is that we never achieve enough when we chase after wealth or ego, but we always achieve something in fulfillment by emptying oneself. This act of purging is simply, spirituality. When we love someone, let him/her go free…. If we try to possess them, we make them false idols.
When I lived in Boston during winter season, it could be so depressing seeing the huge trees with a lifeless look, without leaves, stuck with snowflakes and icy patches. But once winter was over, spring began, and all the trees bloomed with exquisite scenes of beautiful leaves and flowers. In the current growing scenario of consumerism, emptying oneself could very well be a big challenge and yet as good stewards of God, let us give it a try. I strongly recommend that during this week you visit our “St. John XXIII Thrift Store” and reflect how you could possibly empty out some of your closets! Generosity is not just a gesture but a great respect to God’s command.
We pray for Fr. Jacob Gwyn, the newly ordained priest for our diocese, and wish him a graceful and joyful priestly life and ministry.
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
Reading 1: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23
Reading 2: Colossians 3:11-5, 9-11
Gospel: Luke 12:13-21
