Sometimes, Jesus doesn’t pull punches.“You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you.”

Those are not comforting words. But they are saving words. They cut through the noise, the excuses, the plans, and the distractions of life. They wake us up.

Jesus tells this parable not to be harsh, but to be honest. Because there is nothing more urgent than the state of your soul. This Gospel is about eternity — and what we’re living for.

It all begins when a man in the crowd says to Jesus: “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Reasonable, right? We all want fairness. But Jesus doesn’t take the bait. He replies: “Friend, who made me your judge or arbitrator?”

Then He turns to the crowd and says: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Here’s the first warning: greed can disguise itself as fairness. This man isn’t asking for bread; he wants his slice of the pie. And Jesus sees that what he really wants is not justice — but more.

And Jesus says: “Watch out.”

Then comes the parable.

A rich man has an abundant harvest. So much that his barns can’t hold it all. What a problem! So he says:

“I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll say to myself: Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, be merry.”

But then God speaks: “You fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?”

This man wasn’t evil. He wasn’t violent. He didn’t blaspheme. But Jesus calls him a fool. Why?

Because he planned for everything except eternity.

This parable could be preached in every generation. Because the lie hasn’t changed:

If I just had a bit more money, a bit more success, a bit more time, I’d finally be happy.

You’ve heard it. Maybe you’ve said it.

And the world encourages it — constantly:
“Upgrade. Secure your future. Build your brand. Maximise your potential.”

But Jesus says: “Fool.”

Because death is coming. And it doesn’t ask permission.

You can’t bargain with eternity.

Let’s be clear: Jesus is not condemning having things. He’s condemning living for them.

The problem isn’t wealth — it’s when wealth becomes your god. When the barn becomes bigger than the altar. When your plans have no room for God.

The man in the parable never gives thanks. Never prays. Never thinks of others. Never once says, “Lord, what would You have me do with this blessing?”

He’s rich in the world’s eyes — but spiritually bankrupt.

Let’s make this personal.

What are you storing up?

Your CV? Your savings? Your holidays? Your hobbies?

Are you investing more in Netflix than in prayer?

More in your stuff than in your soul?

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying life. But are you preparing more for retirement… than for judgment?

This Gospel isn’t just about money. It’s about priority.

Jesus says: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).

So what does your heart cling to?

Jesus says: “This very night your soul will be demanded of you.”

Not: “if,” but “when.” Not as a punishment — but a fact.

And you won’t bring your achievements. Not your phone, your likes, your job title, your status. Not even your family or your good intentions.

You will bring your soul.

And God will ask: “Did you know Me? Did you love Me? Did you receive My mercy? Did you love others for My sake?”

So I ask you today — Are you ready to meet the Lord?

Here’s the good news: God doesn’t want to call us fools. He wants to call us saints.

The only reason Jesus tells this parable is to save us.
To shake us out of our sleep.
To stop us settling for less than holiness.

God made you for eternity. Not barns. Not earthly comfort. He made you for heaven.

And here’s the truth: He gave up everything to make that possible.

In this parable, the rich man hoards his goods.

But in the Gospel, Jesus is the truly rich man — and He does the opposite.
He empties Himself.
He gives everything away.
He lays down His life on the Cross — for you.

He takes the judgment that we deserve.
He trades His riches for our rags.
So that we might trade our rags for His riches.

And the greatest treasure He offers us is Himself — especially in the Eucharist, where we receive the Bread of Heaven, not the food that perishes.

Jesus says: “So it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” So how do we become rich in God’s eyes?

Repent. Don’t wait. If you’ve been away from Confession, come back. If your soul is full of clutter, ask God to clean house.

Pray. Talk to the Lord. Daily. Honestly. He’s not a theory—He’s a Person.

Receive the Sacraments. Come to Mass not as a spectator, but as a beggar. Hungry. Open.

Live for others. Give. Forgive. Serve. Let love stretch your life.

Ask for the Holy Spirit. He alone can give you wisdom and courage to change.

Being “rich toward God” doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being open, surrendered, alive to grace.

If you’ve been far from God — come back.

If you’ve been distracted by work, money, success — come back.

If you’ve been going through the motions — come back.

Jesus is not waiting to scold you. He’s waiting to heal you. To restore you. To give you what the world can never give. He says: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

He is the true treasure, the only one worth building your life upon.

This parable ends with a warning. But it’s also a wake-up call. God isn’t trying to frighten us — He’s trying to free us.

Don’t wait until your soul is demanded.
Don’t build bigger barns and ignore your soul.
Don’t settle for being rich in this world and poor in eternity.

Instead: Know Christ. Follow Him. Let Him transform your life.

Because on the day your life ends, you’ll hear one of two voices:
“You fool.”
…or…
“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Which voice do you want to hear?

Choose wisely. Choose today. Choose Christ.