Commentary
Our Origin and Destiny
In the parable that Jesus teaches us today, the man neglects
to acknowledge the giver of all his “bountiful harvest,” his “grain and other
goods.” In the words that he speaks to
himself, there is no mention of God or his gratitude.
More deeply, he forgets his origin and the source of his
life.
Consequently, he forgets the destiny of his own life.
Obviously, the parable serves as a warning for the man who
has brought the family dispute to Jesus.
In fact, in his case, the background of Luke 12:1 tells us that he is
there among “so many people [who] were crowding together that they were
trampling one another underfoot.” The
people flock to listen to Jesus. [1]
The man, on the contrary, is there, but he has not heard the
words Jesus has spoken earlier. Jesus had
told the crowd, “Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of
God. Even the hairs of your head have
all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (12:
6-7)
Both the man in the parable and the man who brought the
complaint to Jesus allow their worries about possessions distract them from the
most essential aspect of life: God, who
is our origin and our destiny.
In this way, both men, the one in the parable and the one
who complains, should make it clear to us the warning that Jesus gives to the
crowd “to guard against all greed” and to know that “one’s life does not consist
of possessions.”
It is so real and so easy for all of us to fall into the
trap of possessions and forget God.
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[1] Luke Timothy
Johnson, The Gospel of Luke;
Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN; Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 201.
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