Daily Readings - Mon Oct 20 2025
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 profound lessons that guide us toward a deeper understanding of faith and values. The first reading from Romans 4:20-25 highlights Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promises, which was credited to him as righteousness. This passage emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God, even when circumstances seem challenging. The second reading, from Luke 12:13-21, presents Jesus' parable of the rich fool, who becomes consumed by his wealth and loses sight of what truly matters. This parable warns against the dangers of materialism and encourages us to prioritize spiritual wealth over earthly possessions.
Both readings invite us to reflect on where we place our trust and focus. Abraham's story shows us that true strength comes from trusting in God's promises, while the parable of the rich fool cautions us against allowing material wealth to define our lives. These teachings remind us that our ultimate treasure should be our relationship with God, and that we are called to live with generosity and detachment from worldly goods.
As we apply these lessons to our daily lives, let us examine our priorities and values. Are we like the rich fool, accumulating possessions while neglecting our spiritual well-being? Or are we like Abraham, trusting in God's providence even when the future seems uncertain? Let us strive to cultivate a deeper faith and trust in God, using our resources wisely and generously, remembering that true wealth lies in our relationship with Him.