Homily for Proper 13 C; August 1, 2010

There was a rich tycoon known only as Mr. Frump, who profited from hostile corporate takeovers, often evicted hundreds of people at once from their Manhattan apartments to make way for his building projects, and was known for his ruthless firing policies. He also cheated on his income taxes, and had no concern for the safety and welfare of his employees. Maximum profits was all the really cared about. Unlike other supper wealthy individuals he had no use for philanthropic endeavors, and was curt to any who would solicit his goodwill on behalf of the poor. He was a true living Scrooge!

The only remotely charitable act he did was really self-serving. He was in a hurry to get to a meeting, and on his way he gave a paper boy a dollar bill for a 50-cent newspaper. Not wanting to wait for the boy to fish out the other 50 cents, he briskly said, "Don't worry about it. Keep it."

Mr. Frump finally died and found himself before the pearly gates. Having been used to a sense of entitlement his whole life; he approached St. Peter and, rather presumptuously said, "Well, it's me! You can let me in now."

"Well, hold it just a second, here, Mr. Frump," replied St. Peter. "I'm looking in the books here, and it seems you've been a pretty greedy fella all your life. You've run people out of their homes, you've robbed even from the poor and you've made life miserable for everyone with whom you've had contact. Now, in light of that, can you think of any reason why I should let you into this holy place?"

Mr. Frump was in a panic. This was the first time he did not have the upper hand in a "negotiation," and this was for all the chips. In his panic, he grasped at the only straw available to him. "Well, once I gave a paper boy a dollar for a 50-cent newspaper, and told him to keep the change." St. Peter scratched his chin as he puzzled over this for a few seconds, and finally said, "I'd better run this one past the Boss. Wait right here."

Mr. Frump was on pins and needles as he waited. Finally, St. Peter returned. "Well?" St. Peter took his hand, placed two quarters in it, and said, "Jesus said to give you your 50 cents back and tell you to go to hell!"

My sisters and brothers let us never lose perspective on the greatest priorities in this life.

Qoheleth, author of our first reading, bemoans the shortness of human life and the truth than none of our labors on this earth bring us anything that is truly lasting. The superlative: Vanity of vanities is a Hebrew expression for a supreme degree of futility and emptiness. Ultimately the only lasting benefit to this life is making our way into the eternal reward of the next life. Christ paved the way for us and living by his way is the only work that has truly lasting value.

In our reading from Colossians we hear a similar message. Seek the blessings and joys of the spiritual life. For the joys and accomplishments of this life are temporary and corruptible. Being baptized, we are expected to conduct ourselves according to the ethics of Christ; we are to cast aside both sins of the body and of the mind. In particular we are to remove from ourselves even the class, economic, racial and other distinctions that are normal in this world. In Christ all are made new and share the dignity of Christ himself.

Today’s gospel parable of the wealthy farmer repeats the message. Jesus points out the futility of obsessively gathering wealth in this life. No pleasure in this world will last beyond the grave except one. Being richly worthy in the eyes of God!

My brothers and sisters, we must live now as is necessities of this world demand. That is we must work for a safe, responsible and reasonably enjoyable life. But we must also remember and strive for the life and values that are eternal. We must never let our priorities get out of order.