Daily Readings - Mon Oct 21 2019
Romans
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.
Luke
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
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.