Once there was a chronic gambler who said: “I would do anything to see the lotto winning numbers ahead of the draw.
I would become the richest man in the world.”
He got his wish.
* * *
A messenger came to his door and handed him a newspaper dated one week ahead. Excited, the man turned to the page where the winning numbers were listed. There before his eyes were all the numbers that would entitle him to win millions of pesos.
* * *
He was excited about his enormous winning. But as he turned the pages, his heart skipped a beat when he saw his name printed in the obituary! On the day he wins, he will die.
* * *
The story may well parallel the parable of Christ in this Sunday gospel concerning the rich fool (Lk 12, 13-21). “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you,” Jesus said. “And for all the things you have stored, to whom will they belong?”
The Lord understands our craving for security, but we should not forget the security of eternal life beyond death.
* * *
The rich farmer in the parable could be a landowner growing rice in Nueva Ecija or corn in Cebu or durian in Davao.
With his abundant harvest snugly secured, he congratulates himself on a job well done. And yet Christ calls him a fool! Why?
* * *
There is no indication that he was dishonest or cheated anyone. What then was wrong with him?
The answer is: He was greedy. Jesus declared, “Avoid greed in all its forms. A man may be wealthy, but his possessions do not guarantee him life.”
* * *
There’s a wealthy matron who died and went to heaven. St. Peter escorted her down a magnificent boulevard on which rows of mansions stood. The rich lady saw one house that was exceptionally beautiful and asked who lived there.
* * *
“You will be surprised,” said St. Peter. “That is the home of your katulong (helper).” “Well,” the lady said smiling, “if my helper gets a place like that, I certainly will own a more grandiose mansion.”
Soon they came to a dark alley where the houses were cramped. St. Peter stopped and said, “Lady, you will live in that hut.”
* * *
“Me, live in that hovel! This is an insult. On earth I was rich and famous!” “I understand, but this is the best we can do for you,” explained St. Peter.
“You must understand that we only build homes up here with the materials you send ahead while you’re still on earth.”
* * *
The “materials” are, of course, not cement, sand and gravel but our good works and living God’s will by faithfully fulfilling his commandments.
ASK YOURSELF: Do I work so hard for worldly wealth, forgetting that one day the Lord will take me and regret that I had done nothing for my eternal security? Let’s build our heavenly home now…before it’s too late.
* * *
LAFF ONE ANOTHER. No matter how many luxury cars some people have, when they grow old their favorite ride is the WHEELCHAIR!
* * *
Bert: Do you believe in the saying “money talks”? Friend: Of course, and it always says, “Goodbye.”
(Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD)