Daily Readings - Mon Oct 19 2020
Ephesians
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
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
In today's readings, we hear powerful messages about grace, wealth, and the true nature of our existence. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we were once dead in our sins, but through God’s immense mercy and grace, we have been brought to life in Christ. This passage emphasizes that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts. It invites us to recognize that we are God’s handiwork, created for good works, and to live in a way that reflects the abundant grace we have received.
The Gospel from Luke offers a stark contrast to this spiritual wealth. Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who becomes so focused on accumulating possessions that he forgets the true purpose of his life. The man’s obsession with storing up wealth leads to his spiritual poverty, and in the end, he loses everything that truly matters. This story warns us against the dangers of greed and materialism, urging us to examine where we place our trust and security.
Together, these readings call us to reflect on our priorities. Ephesians encourages us to embrace the grace of God and live as people transformed by His love. Luke’s parable challenges us to let go of our attachment to material possessions and instead seek true wealth in our relationship with God. In our daily lives, this means trusting in God’s providence, using the resources we have to serve others, and remembering that our ultimate inheritance is not in this world but in the life to come. Let us strive to live with hearts that are rich in faith, generosity, and love, rather than being consumed by the fleeting allure of earthly wealth.