Discussion Questions

First Reading

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

F1. Is there more of “toil and anxiety” than you want in your life? Would an increase in faith serve the same purpose as a pill for curing anxiety?

F2. This reading is about priorities. Do yours occasionally need to be checked and rearranged? Louisa Mae Alcott, toward the end of chapter 40 in her book, Little Women, says, “Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.” Discuss.

Second Reading

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

S1.  Not that there is anything wrong with some of our practices in the Church, but might we discover through synodality discussions that taking off the “old self with its practices and putting on the new self” is helpful in “seeking what is above”?

S2. “Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision. … ” Could St. Paul give the same speech today? How would acting as if “Christ is all and in all” solve today’s problems like racism?

Gospel

Luke 12:13-21

G1. Many would determine their worth as a person by the greatness of their house or portfolio or the make of their car. What about you? How do you estimate a person’s worth? Is it possible for a person to have much and still give much?

G2. What are some qualities that “matter to God”? On the other hand, what might be the source of anxiety, adversity, abuse of power, and war? What, according to Pope Francis is the source of true happiness?

It is understood that this does not mean estranging oneself from reality, but rather seeking the things that have true value: justice, solidarity, welcome, fraternity, peace, all things that make up the true dignity of mankind. It is a case of leading a life that is fulfilled not according to a worldly manner, but rather according to the style of the Gospel: to love God with all one’s being, and love one’s neighbor as Jesus loved him, that is, in service and in giving oneself. Covetousness of goods, the desire to have goods, does not satisfy the heart, but rather causes more hunger! Covetousness is like those tasty candies: you take one and say: “Ah! It is so good,” and then you take another; and one follows the other. Such is covetousness: it never satisfies. Be careful! Love that is understood and lived in [the style of the Gospel] is the source of true happiness, whereas the exaggerated search for material goods and wealth is often a source of anxiety, adversity, abuse of power, war. Many wars begin from covetousness.

Rich man with a bountiful harvest
Pope Francis, Angelus, 8/4/2019

Anne Osdieck

**From Saint Louis University