Sunday Reading Reflections:

August 1, 2010
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Reflection:

Today's readings fit together like three panels of a colorful mural called "Set Your Heart on the Kingdom." This first reading insists that "All things are vanity!" For the author, vanity meant "emptiness" or "straw." He is telling us that it is useless to set out hearts on things that must be left behind when we die.

Discussion Questions for Reading 1:

This is a list of what Joe plans to do this week:


get his parents to buy him a new jacket even though his old one still fits
study for Thursday's history test
avoid a friend at school because other kids avoid that person
practice basketball with his friends after supper Friday
save part of his allowance to get his Mom some perfume for her birthday
go to altar server practice on Saturday morning.
What is the most "vain" thing on the list? Why? Discuss his other concerns. Tell when
and why Joe is on the right track and when he is not.

Make a list of your concerns. Are any of them "vain"? How are you on the right track in your priorities? When are you overly concerned with vain things?

Reading 2 Reflection:

In this reading we are reminded that the life of a Christian should reflect the values of Jesus. "Seek what is above," we are told. Put aside lies and idols and evil desires. Be formed in the image of God. Live as though you truly believe in the kingdom, or reign, of God that Jesus proclaimed.

Discussion Questions for Reading 2:

This reading reminds us to be like Christ. A popular way of saying this in our own day is to use the initials WWJD?"What would Jesus do?"

Try to answer that question in the following situations. Then say what YOU would do to be like Jesus. A new student comes to your class at school. He or she is very shy and is afraid to make friends. You said hello once. Is that enough? What would Jesus do? What would you do?

Your group is saving money for Catholic Relief Services. You each made a box to save coins. Together you will help people without homes. Your box is on your desk at home.

You have chores to do after school each day. The list is on the refrigerator. You always need to be reminded to do yours.

Some of your friends like to make fun of other kids or people they see on the street. You are tempted to join in.

Make up one or more situations like these. Have others say what Jesus would do and what they would do to be like Jesus.

Gospel Reflection:

As so often happens, Jesus tells a parable because someone has asked him a question. A man wants him to settle a squabble about an inheritance, but Jesus will have no part of it.

Concern about money prevents people from focusing on the reign of God. The parable of the rich farmer shows how foolish it is to keep piling up possessions. Right when the greedy man is gorging himself on food and drink, he dies. Death prevents any chance of reform.

Discussion Questions for Gospel:

How important is making money? Jesus knows that we all need enough to live on. Each person's need will be a little bit different. Each family's needs will be a little bit different. But Jesus warns here against piling up money and ignoring what really makes us rich?love of God and love of others.

In our society, we must all spend some time making money. How much time? How much of our thought and energy goes into this? How do we keep ourselves from spending too much time and energy on making money? Does our need to make money take too much time away from family and friends?

Of course, we do not work just for money. Every job is an opportunity to love God and others. How do you love God and others in your work? If your work is being a student, how do you love God and others while you are at school?