Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21
Jesus is not kind to the rich throughout the Gospels. He continually warns us to avoid becoming so, encouraging a life of poverty and simplicity that looks to the needs of others. The early church initially had no property or possessions; the offering collection was taken for the needs of the poor and distributed to them each week. We are far removed from those days.
In our time religion is often an apologist for the rich and for its own property interests. Has a capital campaign in a church ever been about the needs of the poor? The message often given on care for the poor is couched more in terms of it being praiseworthy but in no sense obligatory. Heaven forbid we offend the sensibilities of the rich...
Jesus sent out his disciples two by two urging them to a life of simplicity. Jesus himself had no place of his own but relied entirely on the hospitality of others. The message was not about attending services, engaging in programs, or buying the latest cottage industry book. The message was about God's kingdom, not our own, and a message of peace extended to all we meet. We are far removed from those days...
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