Daily Readings - Mon Oct 23 2017

First Reading - Romans 4.20-25

²⁰And then, in the Promise of God, he did not hesitate out of distrust, but instead he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God²¹knowing most fully that whatever God has promised, he is also able to accomplish²²And for this reason, it was reputed to him unto justice²³Now this has been written, that it was reputed to him unto justice, not only for his sake²⁴but also for our sake. For the same shall be reputed to us, if we believe in him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead²⁵who was handed over because of our offenses, and who rose again for our justification

Gospel - Luke 12.13-21

Luke

Chapter 12

¹³And someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.¹⁴But he said to him, "Man, who has appointed me as judge or arbitrator over you?¹⁵So he said to them: "Be cautious and wary of all avarice. For a person’s life is not found in the abundance of the things that he possesses.¹⁶Then he spoke to them using a comparison, saying: "The fertile land of a certain wealthy man produced crops¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying: ‘What should I do? For I have nowhere to gather together my crops.¹⁸And he said: ‘This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build larger ones. And into these, I will gather all the things that have been grown for me, as well as my goods¹⁹And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many goods, stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, and be cheerful.²⁰But God said to him: ‘Foolish one, this very night they require your soul of you. To whom, then, will those things belong, which you have prepared?²¹So it is with him who stores up for himself, and is not wealthy with God.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons that guide us in understanding the essence of faith and the perils of materialism. The first reading from Romans highlights Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promises, despite the seemingly impossible circumstances. His faith, rooted in God's reliability, was reckoned as righteousness, not just for himself, but for all believers. This passage reminds us that our faith in God's promises, especially in the resurrection of Jesus, is the foundation of our justification. The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the rich fool, who, consumed by his wealth, builds larger barns to store his abundance. However, his life is suddenly demanded, leaving his wealth behind. This parable serves as a stark warning against greed and the illusion of security in material possessions. It challenges us to reflect on where we place our trust—whether in earthly riches or in God's providence. These readings invite us to evaluate our priorities. Abraham's story encourages us to deepen our faith, trusting in God's plan even when the future seems uncertain. Conversely, the parable cautions us against allowing materialism to dominate our lives. As we navigate our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate a spirit of trust in God, seeking spiritual wealth over material wealth. May we remember that true security lies in our relationship with God, not in the abundance of possessions. Let us prayerfully assess our hearts, ensuring that our faith and trust are firmly rooted in Him.