Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
There may be several definitions of “indifference” but the theological and Jesuit understanding of indifference is the grace-filled freedom with the “Kingdom” of God as the object of all our desires. Indifference is manifest when a husband and wife profess their wedding vows to each other, articulating “I will be true to you in good times and in bad, in riches and in poverty, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” Indifference is the key lesson taught by the Book of Job, the classic story of the wealthy father and landowner in who loses everything as Satan beats him and kills his children and leaves the good and innocent man of Job in absolute desolation and destitution. Job’s last reply was, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” Indifference is not a lack of care, or the nonchalant attitude of “Whatever”. On the contrary, we desire the Kingdom of God, we desire unification with our beloved, whether that be husbands with their wives, wives with their husbands, or all of humanity with our God. So, theological indifference is passionate and strong desires for the Kingdom of Heaven and while remaining in complete freedom or trust in God with how this Kingdom comes or what must be endured on the journey toward this Kingdom. Jesus is teaching the person in the Gospel today who asks Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me,” about remaining indifferent. “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus, will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” Life may throw all sorts of challenges and blessings at us. In the midst of all of them, remain indifferent, consider all a gift and seek first and always, the Kingdom of God.