Daily Readings - Sun Jul 31 2022
Ecclesiastes
21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
Colossians
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
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 journey through a narrative that begins with the recognition of life's fleeting nature, moves to a call for spiritual transformation, and culminates in a cautionary tale about the dangers of materialism.
Ecclesiastes sets the tone by reminding us that all earthly endeavors, no matter how grand, are ultimately vain without a deeper purpose. This sentiment is echoed in the Gospel where Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, a man so consumed by accumulating wealth that he neglects his spiritual well-being. Both readings challenge us to reflect on where we place our trust and value.
Colossians offers a transformative response to this existential question. It urges us to seek the things above, to live a life renewed in Christ, and to shed the old self with its earthly desires. This is not a call to reject the world but to engage it with a heavenly perspective, prioritizing love, compassion, and unity in Christ.
As we apply these teachings to our lives, let us remember that true wealth lies in our relationship with God. Let us cultivate detachment from material possessions and instead invest in eternal treasures through acts of love and generosity. May we live each day with hearts focused on heaven, trusting in God's providence and finding fulfillment in Him.