Proper 13 C + Rich in God + 7.31.22
M. Campbell-Langdell
All Santos, Oxnard
(Hosea 11:1–11; Ps. 107:1–9, 43;
Colossians 3:1–11; St Luke 12:13–21)
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
This is easy for the letter writer to say, you might say. I
have bills to pay. I must remain grounded. And yet, those of us who tie our
worth to our wealth can feel that all that is so easily stripped away. And I
think of the difficulty of reading this passage as an immigrant who just wants
to get ahead in this country. It makes me think of a parishioner who remembered
his father saying that “teachers rarely have two story houses” because they
were always giving resources away. While in the Christian tradition, we value
sharing resources, it is true that society seems to reward those who save for
their families’ futures.
A completely different example is to be found in the comedy show
“Schitt’s Creek” (2015-2020, Netflix) that gained such popularity at the beginning
of the pandemic and before. A wealthy family is found out for tax dodging or
some other shady dealings and everything is stripped from them but the clothes
they can grab as they leave the house. And they end up in a motel in the middle
of nowhere. Hilarity ensues as they try to sort out how to live without all of
the things they are used to. And while at first, they seem very focused on
going back to their former glory as fast as they can, each of them finds a role
in their new circumstances. They find new passion and purpose, and very little
of it has to do with money.
Of course, this is a television show. Certain resources are
required just to survive in this world. But I believe the parable that Jesus
shares today is not so much about money and goods and whether they are good or
bad. It is about relationships. Relationships to others and relationship to
self.
Notice the rich man seems to be entirely in relationship to
himself. Although the land gives the abundance which he celebrates, an abundance
which comes from God, he seems to think it is all just to support him. One
wonders- are there no hungry people in his area to whom he can sell some of
that grain, even if it is for a lower price? Instead, he only sees his wealth
as a tool to make him stronger. And he even speaks to his own soul as if to
God, urging it to be at peace. Why? Perhaps he has begun to feel less peaceful
in his isolation? Perhaps he knows that something is amiss?
Backing up to the context, Jesus is talking to at least two
audiences, the asker and the crowd. One is a man who wants to publicly shame
his brother into sharing his inheritance. We don’t know the whole story there.
The man might have a very good reason. But I suspect Jesus does not want to get
caught up in the hairy details of splitting up resources. He wants to point out
to the man, and to the crowd, who may have similar questions of their own, that
he needs to reevaluate what is important.
Is it his right to have his inheritance? Absolutely. But does it matter more than
his relationship with his brother? No. Jesus challenges us to think in the
bigger picture about the resources and relationships with which we have been
gifted. The rich man in the parable could be seen as a virtuous sort if he
thought about how to share his resources with the community, even if sharing
was to his benefit. In a way, you could say that he will free himself by
helping others.
One thing that I have noticed in this particular Christian
community of All Santos, is that we are rich in God’s community. Yes there are
some financial resources. But that is not the main point. Even though we cannot
change whole life circumstances for people, we do try to support each other. We
try to see needs and either support others in finding resources or provide some
basic resources as we can when a member is in crisis. This is a kind of wealth,
to be a part of this community. Because, while we try to be independent and
meet our own needs, we know there is some sort of safety net- people who will
bring a meal or can perhaps help with a ride or an urgent need. And more so,
there is an emotional and spiritual safety net- people who care and are praying
for you. And more than a material safety net, in Christian community we find an
antidote to anxiety and isolation.
This is also in certain immigrant communities, with
collective pooling of resources to enable families to attain goals even when
the banks won’t lend to them. I learn so much from our immigrant friends and
neighbors who have had to set up systems of support. These are wise, mutually
supportive barns that feed many.
Of course, our focus as a Christian community is a little different. We are
primarily here to worship together and to grow together spiritually, and hence
we cannot and should not be focused only on meeting material needs of members. Otherwise,
we would lose sight of the relationships and spiritual purpose of our
institution. We do what we can to help but we also keep our eyes on spiritual
growth.
And yet, our communities remind us that in this world, our
worth is not everything we have stored in the metaphorical barn. As one
commentator says, “I used to think the surrounding text in Luke was cold
comfort. The lilies of the field don’t have student loans. I read it now with
more tenderness, thinking of a God who sees my anxiety, numbering the hairs on
my head as I refresh my bank’s web page again in the dim light of my desk lamp.
Whatever I have stored in the barn, my life is worth more than this.”[1]
Whatever you are thinking your worth is at this moment,
remember that your life is God’s. That your worth is infinitely more than
whatever you have in the bank. In the parable, the man’s life is demanded of
him. Many times, we will think that means he will die and not enjoy his riches.
But a colleague suggested this week, what if he is being called to account?
What if God says, you will have to step up to the plate and share with others,
make a life of meaning? You will die to
self but live for others.
In light of that, and knowing your infinite worth, examine
yourself today. Is there some way in which you can reach out to others and
help? Is there some way you need to reach out for help, even if it is more
emotional than material? Because that is what Christian community is for, and
we are here for each other.
Amen.
[1]
Jessica Mesman, “Reflections on the Lectionary: July 31, 2022) from Christian
Century July 13, 2022, p. 19.
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