What Truly Makes Us Rich?

Today’s readings invite us to examine where we place our security and what we consider truly valuable in life. In a world that often measures success by wealth, possessions, and achievements, Jesus reminds us that the worth of our lives is not determined by what we own, but by how we live before God.
In the first reading, St. Paul proclaims that God, who is “rich in mercy,” brings us to new life in Christ. Our salvation is not something we purchase or earn through our own strength; it is a gift of grace received through faith. Yet this grace transforms us and calls us to good works. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to live lives of love, generosity, and service.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us against greed through the parable of the rich fool. The man’s harvest is abundant, and he plans to build larger barns to store his wealth. His mistake is not that he worked hard or enjoyed a good harvest, but that he made his possessions the foundation of his security. He speaks only to himself, plans only for himself, and dreams of enjoying his wealth without considering God or his neighbor.
God’s question exposes the fragility of his assumptions: “This night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” The parable reminds us that life is a gift, not a possession we can control indefinitely. Wealth may provide comfort, but it cannot guarantee tomorrow or purchase eternal life.
Today, the Church also remembers Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and their companions, who gave their lives as missionaries among Indigenous peoples in North America. Their witness reminds us that the Gospel is worth more than worldly comfort or personal safety. Their courage flowed from a faith rooted in Christ, whose love they proclaimed even amid suffering. Their lives challenge us to ask whether we are willing to surrender selfish ambitions and serve God faithfully.
Dear friends, Jesus does not condemn responsible planning, honest work, or material prosperity. Rather, He warns against becoming so attached to our possessions that we forget the Giver and neglect those in need. We become rich in what matters to God when we practice compassion, forgive generously, share our blessings, and remain faithful to Christ.
Let us therefore build not merely larger barns, but larger hearts. Let us store up treasures through love, mercy, justice, and service. May we remember that everything we have is entrusted to us for a purpose, and that our greatest treasure is life in Christ.
The truly rich person is not the one who possesses the most, but the one whose life is filled with God’s grace and whose hands remain open to others. Amen.

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