I was appointed rector-principal at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in June of 1998. I had already been on the teaching faculty for three years and enjoyed the classroom very much. When Bishop Thomas V. Daily asked me to accept the new position, I knew that administration was going to present challenges I had not yet experienced.

However, because of my personal sense of gratitude for Bishop Daily’s kindness to me mixed with the sense that I might be able to meet the challenge, I accepted. Then came the work. Since I was to assume the office less than three months later, I had a lot of preparing to do. One of the first tasks was to set up an office. Never having been in the position of having an office that would be exclusively mine, I knew I would need help so I decided to go to a pro for advice.

I had come to admire my predecessor’s eye for beauty and skill at decorating. At the time, Msgr. Richard Marchese was leaving Cathedral for St. Frances Cabrini parish, Bensonhurst. When I asked him for advice in setting up what was to become my office, I was surprised by his initial reaction. I expected him to ask about my favorite colors or patterns. Instead, he asked me what kind of office I wanted – did I primarily want a workspace, meeting place or would I need some combination of both.

Although I felt in hindsight that the question should have been rather obvious, I admittedly gave the concept little thought. Of course, a workspace would be functional; a meeting place comfortable; and a combination of the two (for which I opted) more difficult to assemble. Nonetheless, it was easier to put my office together because I had an idea in mind of what I ultimately wanted to accomplish. It was certainly a smarter way to proceed than simply buying things that I liked and hoping they would be attractive and functional when lumped together. Today’s Scriptures invite us to use that same logic on a wider scale.

In the Gospel, we hear the story of a man working very hard to build up his fortune. He is tearing down grain bins and building up larger ones. He is looking forward to the chance to reap the rewards of these labors – a reasonable goal but unfortunately short-sighted. He was doing good work but never really considered his ultimate goal. His vision of the future was limited to what this world could offer. He never really asked himself the ultimate purpose of life. As Jesus describes him, he was blinded by greed, which prevented him from realizing that everything he was building would one day pass and he would find himself empty-handed before God.

I am sure that, if asked, we would also say that we hope to get to heaven one day. The challenge of the Scriptures is to ask ourselves what we are doing “today” to make that “one day” a reality. If our ultimate goal is heaven, are we storing up the necessary spiritual riches for the journey. If we have an ultimate goal in mind, realizing that goal should be the controlling force of our decisions.

The first reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes warns us to avoid vanity since it creeps into the center of our universe and compels us to chase after riches that fade. St. Paul, in writing to the Colossians, reminds us that we are invited to much, much more. By virtue of our faith in Jesus Christ, our dedication to Him through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, we are no longer citizens of this world. With heaven as our ultimate goal, we are only passing through this life. As we decide how we want to use this day and each day, may we remember the ultimate purpose we have and seek those riches that will help us come to its fulfillment.

Readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

   Ecclesiastes 1, 2: 2, 21-23
   Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11
   Luke 12: 13-21