You Can't Take It with You

By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem.

"Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions."

So we have two brothers fighting over an inheritance, seemingly ready to risk their relationship as brothers over property and money they did not earn.  Jesus refuses to be drawn into their dispute, will not take sides.  Rather, Jesus tells a story that puts everything in perspective.

Both Jesus' tale of the rich fool who will be called from this life despite his wealth and the Preacher's observation about vanity, sometimes translated as "emptiness" or "smoke" serve basically to say "You can't take it with you."

Our attention is turned - not to death - but to what is important in life.  One of the reflection exercises I sometimes use with my students invites them to look forward to the time of their death.  And from the perspective of the end of life to look back on the course of their life and be aware of the joys and sorrows, the successes and failures, the satisfaction and regrets.   If I start at the other end - ask them to look forward and identify hopes and dreams, typically, people will speak of good jobs, security, house and car, the toys, money - and, of course a good spouse, healthy children, long life and so forth.   But it is interesting that when folks look back from the "end" of life, the material things - money, house, car, toys, success tend to fade into the background while love - of family and friends, love of God and other intangible values like mercy and compassion, generosity and hospitality become central to satisfaction and failures in love are the source of regret.

It is disconcerting that we can so easily fret and fight and hurt each other over things that will not last.  We strive to acquire, whether it is fortune or fame or some personal delight - but none of this will matter at the end of life.

The wisdom of the Preacher, the wisdom of Jesus, even the deathbed reflection - none of these is meant to be morbid.  Rather the point is to appreciate life and what makes life worth living.  The brothers will be truly rich if they maintain their love as brothers, even if both lose the inheritance.  The landowner's hope is not in full barns, but in the fullness of his heart in joy and generosity as he comes before God.

And for us?  What we have to show for our lives that even death cannot take away?  What will bring a smile to our faces and to God's when we come before Him in the fulfillment of our lives?