18 Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lk 12:13-21
July 31, 2022

The richest man in the world will soon take possession of a so-called “super yacht.” The price tag is close to a 1/2 billion dollars. But there is an additional expense. He will have to personally bear the cost of dismantling, and then rebuilding, a bridge that is presently blocking access from the shipyards in Amsterdam to the sea. He is not alone.

It is widely reported that the ultra-wealthy are investing heavily in larger and larger private yachts. Their motivation seems a bit less admirable than Noah’s Ark building. While they are seeking refuge at sea, they are also purchasing large tracts of land in remote areas of the world. This interest in seclusion is reminiscent of the early months of COVID, when the “One Percenters” were heading off to their private islands.

It certainly appears that the increasing concerns over global health issues, the impact of rapidly changing climate patterns, and the cultural shifts that are leading to worldwide civil unrest are motivating billionaires’ desires to go to sea. What we seem to be witnessing is “survival of the richest rather than the fittest.”

One can’t help but wonder if many of the issues driving these extremely costly escape plans could be resolved if the money were to be committed to survival of all humanity. It is tempting to speak to the obvious social justice issues at play here. However, our Gospel seems to nudge our attention in another direction.

The parable of the wealthy man blessed with an unexpected windfall raises the issue of the “need to control.” (Emphasis on NEED)

Who hasn’t run into a “control freak”? We all have a friend who always chooses the restaurant or the movie…or hangs onto the remote for dear life. And, of course, the experience of a “micro manager” for a boss is never pleasant.

Some people who can’t take a back seat and delegate seem to have trust issues. They feel that no one can “do it better” than they can. VANITY!

Others might be motivated by fear, and so they do what is necessary…at any cost…even to the point of burning bridges that they might never be able to repair…in order to control what they perceive to be a threat to their security. ALSO VANITY!

Whatever the motivation might be, controlling personalities can’t seem to be fully at peace unless they are in full control, which means that they can never be fully at peace, because life is full of things which ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

Which brings us to the important takeaway from this week’s Readings.

Jesus’s gift to us is PEACE!

From a spiritual standpoint, TRUST in God’s infinite power, goodness, mercy, and love are the ultimate “survival plan.” Relying exclusively on our own resources as we negotiate the challenges of this life tends to leave us in a constant state of restlessness…bereft of peace!

That thought is worthy of further exploration.

There is nothing wrong with planning or even taking steps to protect one’s own health and well-being. But, without accepting that, ultimately, God is in control, and without TRUST in The Almighty, it is nearly impossible to live in PEACE!

St. Ignatius of Loyola is credited with this little gem of wisdom that is a survival plan worth taking note of: “Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you”.

Very few can afford a luxury yacht or a thousand-acre ranch in Montana, but God’s mercy and love and the Peace of Christ is there for the taking.

The most reliable survival plan is simply this: TRUST IN GOD AND LIVE IN PEACE!