Daily Readings - Mon Oct 23 2017

First Reading - Romans 4.20-25

²⁰He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;²¹And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.²²And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.²³Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;²⁴But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;²⁵Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Gospel - Luke 12.13-21

Luke

Chapter 12

¹³And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.¹⁴And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?¹⁵And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?²¹So is he that layeth 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.