It’s finally here – Phase 3! It felt like an eternity before malls reopened. I can once again go out and shop for clothes to fill my already overflowing closet. Ironically, I am not too fond of shopping. The lines are too long; stores never have things in my size, and don’t get me started about the parking lot. I’ve never been more eager to go to a mall in my life, despite it all. 

Since the province’s reopening, I have noticed a couple of things. There seems to be an abundance of sales, in-stores and online. I have also observed a huge push for material gain and over-consumption in our society. Every day, we are bombarded with different advertisements telling us that, in order to be successful or important, we “need” this or that.

  Sunday’s sermon, on the parable of ‘The Rich Fool,’ challenges us to reposition our hearts away from greed. The love of “stuff” can easily crowd out values like generosity and faithfulness in giving to God. Jesus told this parable to remind us that God must be more important than any money or possessions we may have. The “stuff” we have will not last, but our relationship with God is eternal. 

To ensure our hearts are in the right place, Jesus says: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). We are called not to this world, but rather, to a relationship with the Father.