Daily Readings - Mon Oct 21 2019
Romans
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
Luke
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the true source of security in our lives. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul highlights Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promise. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Abraham trusted in God’s power and fidelity, and this faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. Paul emphasizes that this righteousness is not just for Abraham but also for us, if we believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. This passage reminds us that our faith is not about our own efforts but about trusting in God’s promises and His ability to fulfill them.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us against the dangers of greed and materialism through the parable of the rich fool. The wealthy man in the story is so focused on accumulating possessions that he fails to recognize the true purpose of his life. Jesus calls him a fool because he trusts in his wealth rather than in God. The man’s tragic end serves as a cautionary tale: our lives are not measured by what we possess but by our relationship with God. This parable challenges us to examine our priorities and to recognize that true wealth lies in our spiritual lives, not in material abundance.
Both readings call us to trust in God’s providence and to live with a sense of detachment from worldly possessions. Abraham’s faith teaches us to rely on God’s promises even when the future seems uncertain. The parable of the rich fool reminds us that our ultimate security comes not from what we accumulate but from our relationship with God. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan for our lives, or do we place our trust in the things of this world? May we strive to live with faith, generosity, and a heart open to God’s will, knowing that true wealth is found in Him alone.