Building a Bigger Barn ~ by Ronnie Archer

On this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we can clearly see a connection in all three of the readings. In the first reading, Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 2: 21-23, and the second reading, Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11, we hear how futile it is to place great importance on possessions of this world, while NOT making God our priority.

Luke's Gospel, 12: 13-21, gives us the parable of the rich man who intended to build larger barns in which to store his bountiful harvest... for himself.

The theme for the past few weeks has been the love of God and neighbor. The man in the parable committed the sin of omission. He wasn't serving God, nor was he concerned about anyone else. No matter how much we have, we are no more than a beggar if we are only receiving and not giving. If the gifts that are given to us are not shared with others, they are useless.

Because of an emptiness in us, as humans, we tend to be selfish, which causes us to forget others and satisfy ourselves. Only God can fill this emptiness. There is no complete happiness, no meaning in life, without GOD.