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Homily 2025-08-03, 18th Sunday ●● Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 ●●Psalm 90 ●● Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 ●● Luke 12:13-21 ●●
Theme:
Spiritual Inheritance and True Wealth
[_01_] Decluttering
and the Gospel
Marie
Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and TV personality, best
known for popularizing the KonMari Method of tidying or “de-cluttering”
Her
approach emphasizes keeping only items that "spark joy" and
discarding the rest, leading to a more organized and fulfilling life. She's
known for her calm demeanor, practical advice, and the transformative power of
tidying.
The movie Wall
Street features Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) arguing that
"greed, for lack of a better word, is good," presenting it as the
driving force of human progress and a tool for liberation. In his speech to
stockholders, he asserts that greed clarifies, captures the evolutionary
spirit, and will "save the malfunctioning corporation called the
USA". The scene is famous for its persuasive and almost dangerously
confident delivery by Gekko, ending with the stockholders applauding the very
concept of greed. (Reference: SlashFilm)
But, greed is not good. For Gordon Gekko,
greed was his god!
We can all be too attached to material
things. Here is an example.
A
few years ago, I realized my car—15 years old, over 170,000 miles—needed either
a big repair or to be replaced. It had served me well. When I asked the dealer
about a trade-in, they offered me just $300. Worse, they told me it would go
straight to a junkyard. That didn’t sit right. I knew the car had some life
left in it.
So
I reached out to the Archdiocese and Catholic Charities, and I was connected
with a family who needed a vehicle. My
contact here was Cheryl Riley who is also director of Respect Life and Mercy
House.
Cheryl
Riley knew a family – parents and children in serious need of car Cheryl had
already helped them get off the street and into housing.
We
began the process of transferring ownership—but it wasn’t simple. They needed
to get insurance, registration, everything in place. It took weeks. And in that
time, I’ll admit: I started getting attached again. I liked the idea of having
two cars. It felt comfortable. Secure.
But
I knew I didn’t need two cars. I was being pulled toward comfort instead of
generosity.
Marie
Kondo says: *“Before letting go of something, say thank you.”* That struck me.
I needed to thank the car—not just let go of it. Or in the words of Scripture:
*“In all things, give thanks.”* Even for what we no longer have. Even for what
we give away.
When
the family finally came to pick it up, in the driveway right outside the
church, I am glad I watched them carefully.
They
immediately opened the back doors on “my” 4 door car and installed two child seats. That moment
reminded me the car was no longer mine.
And,
I was glad about this!
The car that had once served me was now going to serve them. I could finally
say goodbye. It wasn’t just about a vehicle—it was about detachment, and making
room for someone else’s joy.
[3] Conversion: A Change in Three Directions
The
Catechism teaches that conversion is not just a one-time moment—it’s a change
in relationship:
· a
change in relation to ourselves,
· a
change in relation to God,
· and
a change in relation to others.
And
we can practice that change through 3 spiritual disciplines: fasting, prayer,
and almsgiving. These are not just Lenten practices—they are year-round ways of
spiritual decluttering.
[4] Fasting: Detaching from the Self
Fasting
isn’t just about food. It’s about training our desires—learning not to be ruled
by our appetites. That might be food, but it might also be our phones,
entertainment, or even the desire for comfort—like keeping an extra car I
didn’t need.
Traditionally,
Catholics abstained from meat every Friday of the year—not just during Lent.
Even though the requirement has changed, the invitation to make every Friday a
small sacrifice remains. Skip a meal. Pass on dessert. Pray instead of scroll.
Do something to remind your body that your soul is in charge.
Fasting
helps us reorder our lives. It’s a way to say: I don’t need to hold on to
everything.
Fasting
is about giving up something good – such as choosing not to talk or to say too
much. Talking is good, but the silence of fasting can help us to be in touch
with who and what really matters.
[5]
Prayer: Realigning with God
Prayer
is our way of turning back to God. It’s how we quiet the noise and listen. Even
five minutes a day—morning or night—can reshape your week.
Turn
off the phone. Find a quiet space. Speak to God, and listen for His voice.
Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances—but it always changes us. It
reminds us what matters, and who we are.
[6] Almsgiving: Seeing the Other
Almsgiving
– charitable giving - is more than giving money. It means giving attention,
dignity, love. It’s seeing the people others ignore. Is there someone in your
life—at work, school, or even in your home—who feels unseen? Learn their name.
Make eye contact. Give your presence.
Giving
your heart, your time, and your attention to others is how we invest in what matters
to God. Generosity is a form of spiritual wealth.
[7]
Where Is Your Treasure?
Jesus
tells us: *“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be.”*
So
where is your treasure? Is it in your reputation? Your possessions? Your
achievements? For a few weeks, mine was in an old car—and I had to let it go.
We
are not meant to store up treasures that rust and fade. We are heirs of
something far greater. As Paul says, “You have died, and your life is hidden
with Christ in God.”
Our true inheritance is not in portfolios or
property. It’s in the love of Christ, who gave everything for us—and invites us
to live not just for today, but for eternity.
[_end_]
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