Daily Readings - Mon Oct 23 2017
Romans
20No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,21fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.22That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."23But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone,24but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,25who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Luke
13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."14But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"15And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."16And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully,17and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'18And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'20But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward 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.