Jesus told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)
The parable reminds us of how easily we get life backwards and long for and cling to our stuff. Jesus reminds us that when we have life right, we aren’t clinging to our stuff – playing “the one who dies with the most toys wins” game. Rather, we see the world as a gift from God, given for us to use well during life’s journey, and relinquished when we die for generations who follow to use as well.
This week we conclude our series on care of creation and we do so on the Sunday where we celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis. Francis’ story was one that started rich and ended poor – at least in terms of worldly stuff. But he wasn’t a failure. He changed his values and followed what he believed to be God’s path for his life.
Saint Francis lived in Italy from 1181 – 1226. He was a Christian friar and preacher and he founded the Franciscan movement. Born into a wealthy merchant family in Assisi, he initially dreamed of becoming a knight and living a life of wealth and honor but a series of spiritual experiences changed his direction. Alienating his father, he renounced his family’s wealth and embraced a life of poverty, simplicity, prayer, and service.
Francis gathered followers who shared his commitment to living according to what he understood to be the teachings of Jesus, especially Jesus’ call to care for the poor and vulnerable. His followers would eventually become known to us today as the Franciscans.
Francis was known for his love of creation. He often referred to the sun, moon, animals, and earth as his “brothers and sisters.” He was also committed to peace and love in ways that have endured. He died in 1226 and was declared a saint by Pope Gregory IX just two years later. His life continues to inspire Christians through his commitment to peace, humility, compassion, and care for creation and a careful glimpse into the gardens in our area will show more than a few Saint Francis yard statues to remind us to love the world and care for creation.
As we reflect this week on how we relate to our stuff, Saint Francis encourages us to think more about living a simpler life, reducing the amount we think we need to be happy or successful, and falling in love with creation in the way God is in love with creation.
