August 1, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. — Psalm 90:8

Mass Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2;2:21-23 / Colossians 3:1-5,9-11 / Luke 12:13-21

A Lack of Silver 

A lot of families have taken a serious financial blow in recent years. If at one point they had that “bountiful harvest” Jesus talks about in today’s Gospel, it’s disappeared. And the need for building bigger barns is long gone. In some cases, the family home is gone. 

If every cloud has a silver lining, maybe a lack of silver — gold, savings, stocks, steady employment — offers something valuable, too. Yes, these families mourn what they’ve lost and they worry about what will be but . . . . Whether they’ve wanted it or not, they’ve taken a large step toward a simpler lifestyle. Toward one that focuses on “treasures in heaven.” It’s a lesson, and a lifestyle, we all need, no matter what our financial status may be. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me find ways to assist families who are hurting financially.