Fool is not a word we are accustomed to hearing Jesus use. Jesus’ use of the word in today’s parable is done to drive home a very important reality. Earthly wealth does not matter to God. What matters is our direction in life. Have we renounced greed? Is our life headed in the direction of God’s kingdom? Does our life include the real riches that Jesus teaches? Jesus does not condemn the rich or call everyone to live in poverty. It is about balance. St. Paul puts it this way today: “Put to death…immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed that is idolatry.” So today we should ask ourselves about our motives for the decisions we make. If we approach whatever we do with the attitude of service to others, we will be rich beyond our imagination. However, if we approach life with “bigger is better, and status is important—success at any price—then we are headed to spiritual poverty! Let us look at each person as God does. Let us spend our time growing rich in the things of God and not of this world.

We are hearing more about SB 24 coming before the public view. This bill would require on and after January 1, 2023, each student health care services clinic on a California State University, or University of California campus to offer abortion by medication techniques. As Catholics, of course, we are against this kind of procedure and in fact, abortion in itself. We read in Sacred Scripture: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception until natural death! “From the first moment of existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2270) It seems impossible that a society that has become so dependent on abortion could ever change. But polls tell us that at least half of all Americans believe abortions should be illegal through most of the pregnancy, so if every one of us lived and worked and prayed our convictions, perhaps it wouldn’t be so impossible! Let us pray for all pregnant women, especially those who might be struggling with a decision at this moment. Nurture them with nonjudgmental and compassionate love. May we all cherish human life from conception to natural death! Amen.

In closing, I invite everyone to join the parish community in Serra Gardens to celebrate the joyful conclusion of our Capital Campaign for “St. Francis Hall: A Space Renewed!” Please join us after the 10:00 a.m. Mass for refreshments to celebrate this milestone for our parish! At present, we have received over $780,000 in cash and pledges for the work of remodeling our venerable old hall. “We did it!” God bless all of you for your efforts, prayers, and sacrifices to make this dream come true!

Love, Fr. Vince