The Parable of the Rich Fool

Yesterday was a very busy day, so I didn’t have time to select a passage during the day as I usually do. In fact, I was already in bed when I remembered. Since it was late, I simply opened the Bible and began reading, falling immediately to this parable:

Scripture: Luke 12:16-31

"And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, because I have no room where to store my grain?” And he said, “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool, this very night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So it is with he who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

And he said unto his disciples, “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If you then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of them. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

My Reactions:
1) This is the same parable that first inspired me to accept my company’s early retirement offer. I have been drawn to it on more than one occasion, so it is quite clear that the Lord wants to get across His message of trust and providence to me.
2) The Lord knows what I need, and he will provide it to me. Just repeating the phrase “I know what you need, and it will be given to you” was very reassuring.
3) I must seek FIRST the kingdom of God. Then after that, all of my needs will be addressed. Though the word ‘first’ wasn't in the text of my particular Bible, it’s in one of my favorite hymns based on this parable, and it was a key word in my meditation. The point is that I must focus foremost on seeking the things of God, not of this world.
4) I must seek the kingdom of God in all that I do: dancing, exercise class (hopefully teaching one!), subbing at the schools, St. Vincent de Paul activities, interacting with family and friends. Since Sister Ellen has suggested that another Vincentian and I start our own prayer group at the parish, I believe this is another opportunity for me to seek God’s kingdom. I must always look for the doors God opens for me (in other words,be aware). Look at the doors He has already opened: the Praying with Scriptures group, the possibility of becoming a fitness instructor, a chance to form our own prayer group. Yes, even the early retirement offer was a door. As I continued to meditate on these verses, I got the feeling that these doors will lead me to help others, to bring them closer to Christ, and to bring me closer to Christ in the process.