April's Lectio Divina Has the Goods

Matthew Harrison

April 14, 2010
Archbishop Collins continues his reflections on the parables of Jesus in Lectio Divina with Archbishop Thomas Collins.  In April, Toronto’s chief shepherd meditates on two parables: the rich fool and the faithful and wise steward found in Luke (Luke 12:13-21, 35-48).
IMG_7566The story of the rich fool details the account of the young man who proclaims "I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods."
This had me thinking of real estate.  In a large city like Toronto, this is something we see all the time -- perhaps not the barns, but the tearing down of old buildings or houses to make way for new condo developments, or larger homes.   It's rare to see a part of the city that isn't undergoing some kind of construction, or a neighbourhood where there isn't a house being renovated (Archbishop Collins also makes this point too).  What do we do with our bigger houses?  Well, I suppose we gather stuff, we enjoy our material things, we get in a comfortable place.  Maybe we're like the rich man in the parable: "And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry." Certainly not the best attitude to have -- particularly when God responds to him "Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?", and the parable concludes: "So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
Are we like this rich young man, building up our houses, amassing material things, while not being generous with God?  As I looked at the houses and buildings going up around me, do I see myself doing updating or renovations to my soul, to ensure that I am rich with God?
It's something to reflect upon with Archbishop Collins in this month's encounter.
Pray our Lord’s parables, and join us for the broadcast edition of Lectio Divina with Archbishop Thomas Collins: The Parables of Jesus, this Sunday, April 18th at 8:30pm ET with an encore presentation Wednesday, April 21st at 8:00pm ET.