Natalia, my youngest daughter, requires a high-capacity computer for her field of study. This contrasts with mine, which works very well for writing, internet browsing, and some other programs. What she needs goes far beyond that.
From a young age, Natalia showed an interest in technology, gadgets, video games, headphones, microphones, and similar things. This led her to want to build her own computer. And the time came when she did it.
Fast forward to today, Natalia is already on her second computer. To do so, she used some parts from the first one, renovated some pieces, and was satisfied with the result. However, as time went by, with system upgrades in addition to the growing need for digital capacity required for her studies, this second computer became insufficient for her again.
Natalia began researching what she would need to adapt her current computer, and she was clearly excited. She made her list of supplies, consulted with other people, and once again came up with a plan that satisfied her. But a few moments later, she came to talk to me and said:
“Mom, I’m sad to be getting rid of the other computer parts; they’ve been very useful.”
“Okay, but will they still be useful for what you need from now on?”
“No…”
She said thoughtfully:
“I’m sad; this computer as it is has been very useful to me. Maybe I can still use it. I don’t want to get rid of it.”
And you, have you ever been in a situation where it’s hard to get rid of something extra you have?”
We continued talking, and she confirmed that the computer she has definitely doesn’t have the capacity for what she’s studying next. She thought for a bit, trying to figure out what she could do. She knew that keeping those extra parts wasn’t the best idea.
In the Gospel, Jesus presents a parable in which a man who had a plentiful harvest wanted to build more storage space for himself, because the space he had was no longer enough.
Have you ever had more than you need? What do you do with the surplus?
And there is another place, where Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, if the Good Samaritan hadn’t had money (perhaps a little more), he wouldn’t have been able to help the injured traveler in the same way.
In other words, Jesus isn’t criticizing having or not having here, but rather seems to be inviting us to question something else…
With those things you have that are more than you need, have you noticed what your tendency is?
If you keep stuff, Is it because you save and set aside something for when you need it, or because you find it difficult to let go?
Would you like to have a different tendency?
Perhaps the question is different: what do we do with what we have?
What is the right thing for you?
After a while, Natalia concluded that she can give the parts of her computer that she will replace, and that are still useful, to someone who might benefit. She came to that conclusion because that’s also how she found some of her computer parts; someone else gave them to her.
We each have different situations and needs. The Good Samaritan was able to give because he had some. The man with the great harvest died. And you and I, like him, will take nothing with us. Sometimes we can give. And other times, receiving from others makes a big difference in our needs.
Can you recognize your tendency with honesty and compassion?
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the carpenter what you long to do with what you have in extra amount. And perhaps you may want to do something different from now on.
Marisol
P.S.: We can reflect on what we do with what we have in the readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year/Cycle C.
