Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their Companions, Martyrs, Monday of week 29 in Ordinary Time, Gospel: Luke 12:13-21
In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us against greed through the parable of the rich man who places his security entirely in his abundant possessions. His mistake is not that he has accumulated wealth, but that he has allowed wealth to determine the meaning and direction of his life. He plans everything around what he owns, forgetting the One to whom his life belongs. Jesus reminds us that “a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns.” This teaches us an essential truth: the place we give to God in our lives must never depend on our possessions, whether we have much or little. God is not simply the One who provides what we need, protects what we possess, or helps us acquire more. He is the very source, meaning, and ultimate destination of our existence. When we associate God’s goodness only with material prosperity, we risk losing our trust in Him when possessions disappear. Likewise, when we have everything we need, we may begin to feel that we no longer need Him. True spiritual freedom begins when our relationship with God is independent of what we possess or lack. Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and their companions witnessed this freedom by giving up security and eventually their lives for the mission of Christ. They understood that the greatest treasure is not something we can accumulate, but Someone to whom we can belong. The message of Christ invites us to become rich in the sight of God through faith, gratitude, generosity, and love. Possessions can support our lives, but only God can give our lives their ultimate meaning. Let’s reflect: Is my relationship with God influenced by what I possess or lack, or have I discovered the freedom of loving and trusting Him as my greatest treasure, independently of my material circumstances?
Don Giorgio