RE NEWS
Parable of the rich man with a good harvest.
Gospel Reflection
One of the themes running through the gospels is that wealth can be an obstacle to entering fully into relationship with God. It is not wealth in itself that is problematic but rather valuing material riches above everything else and the constant desire to accumulate more and more. We have the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit the kingdom and Jesus tells him to sell everything he has and give away the proceeds. The young man goes away sad because he thought that with his great accumulation of wealth he’d be able to buy anything that he needed to gain the kingdom. We also have the saying of Jesus that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
The parable in today’s gospel depicts a man who has so much grain that he decides to build bigger barns to store it all. The parable follows Jesus’ teaching that ‘a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’ The point is about having more than we need. What good is served by one person having more than they need while others do not have enough to meet their needs? The rich man who had the abundant harvest could have stored up all that he needed and still been able to share the abundance with others.
Liberation theology introduced the catch phrase, ‘live simply so that others may simply live’. The call was for those in wealthier countries to simplify their wasteful and indulgent lifestyles so that others may be able to meet their most basic of needs.
Scriptural context – Do not worry
This parable and teaching about the love of wealth is followed up by Jesus telling his disciples not to worry about what they will eat and what they will wear. He invites them to look to the birds of the air and flowers of the fields. God provides them with all that they need. Jesus tells his disciples to seek the kingdom, and all the other necessities of life will be given to them as well. Rather than focusing on accumulating wealth as the rich man in today’s parable, Jesus reassures his disciples that if they focus their lives on the kingdom they will have all that they need.
by Greg Sunter
Class Mass Timetable
Week | Date | Class | Chosen theme |
Term 3 2025 | |||
1 | 25.7.2025 | 5/6 N | Grandparents |
2 | 1.8.2025 | 1/2 SM | St John Vianney |
3 | 8.8.2025 | 1/2 DS | St Mary of the Cross |
4 | 9.8.2025 | NO MASS | |
5 | 22.8.2025 | 1/2 C | Jesus’ Love |
6 | 29.8.2025 | 0 L | Creation |
7 | 5.9.2025 | 0 CP | Father’s Day |
8 | 12.9.2025 | NO MASS | |
9 | 19.9.2025 | 5/6 J | Friendship |
Term 4 2025 | |||
1 | 10.10.2025 | 1/2 B | Teachers' Day |
2 | 17.10.2025 | NO MASS | |
3 | 24.10.2025 | 0 W | Children of God - God Loves Me |
The Vibrant Parish Formation
St John Vianney Parish is excited to invite you to our upcoming Vibrant Parish Formation Series – a dynamic journey designed to deepen our parish life.
Come for one Tuesday each month for engaging sessions featuring local and international guest speakers who will guide us in exploring the five essential characteristics of a vibrant parish:Worship • Evangelisation • Formation • Fellowship • Service
Session Dates (6:30 PM – 9:00 PM):
- Tuesday, 12th August
- Tuesday, 9th September
If you would like to attend, please contact the parish office at st.john.vianney.mulgrave@gmail.com