Living in Southern California we are not strangers to fires and firestorms. It seems like every year we are confronted with the threat of wildfires and we all know people who have lost their homes in a wildfire. People are given very little time to gather what is most important to them when faced with evacuation in an area that is threatened by a firestorm. In these times people spend very little time thinking about the “things” that are in their homes and are most concerned with the people and relationships that make up the history of their lives. They gather their family and their pictures and seek shelter. They realize quickly that the “things” in their lives can all be replaced but nothing can replace family and the memories that have formed their lives.

Things or people, what is most important to us? Now, most of us would very quickly look at that choice and say right away that of course people are more important to us. However, if we were to give that question honest reflection and make an honest evaluation of our lives would it really show that we are “people” persons? How can we make that determination and get an honest read on our lives? A good indication of what is important to us is what we spend our time and energy on. Do I spend my time and energy working to obtain more possessions or do I spend my time and energy working on my relationships with others? Do I use people to get more “things” or do I use the “things” that I have to strengthen the relationships I have with others and to serve others? Do I spend more time thinking about how I can appease my selfish desire for material pleasures or do I spend my time thinking about how I can selflessly have deeper and more meaningful relationships with others in my life? All of us could benefit from an honest assessment of our lives in this way.

God enters into our world as the Incarnate Word Jesus who lives among us and comes to reveal to us the true meaning and value of life. Jesus lives among us as one without possessions. Jesus had a great number of people in his life, crowds of people were constantly following him and seeking him out, but he had absolutely no possessions. Jesus tells those who wish to follow him that “the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head” (Luke 9,58). Being a disciple of Jesus is not a career path that will lead to riches and a life of leisure and material pleasures. Jesus certainly cautions us against the folly and vanity of placing too much value on the “things” in our lives. Our possessions will not guarantee us a place in God’s kingdom. In the gospel Jesus cautions us, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12,15) Jesus spends his time among us speaking to us and teaching us about love and friendship, about relationships and community and certainly reveals to us that people are what God values above all else. Every person is of infinite value to God. The poor and the humble, the small and the marginalized are especially important to God. “Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows,” (Luke 12,7) Jesus tells his disciples about their value in the eyes of God, our Father. God clearly chooses people over things.

Perhaps too often we place the value of “things” over the value of our relationships with others. We need to spend more time thinking about our relationships and how we can strengthen the bonds of love that we share with others. Every day that we are given as a gift is an opportunity to grow in our love and relationship with others. In the end we will take none of the possessions we have accumulated with us to heaven but we do hope that we will share eternally the joys of love, family and friendship that we have known in this life. It is clear in the life of Jesus that what really “matters to God” are people not possessions. We will not be judged on the quantity of our “things” but on the quality of love that we have shared with others. True disciples of Jesus seek to become “rich in what matters to God.” (Luke 12,21)