Daily Readings - Mon Oct 17 2022
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 are invited to reflect on the themes of grace, wealth, and the true nature of our relationship with God. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we are saved not by our own works, but by God’s grace. It emphasizes that our salvation is a gift, and we are called to live as God’s handiwork, created for good works. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s providence and to recognize that our worth is not measured by what we do, but by the love God has shown us in Christ.
The Gospel from Luke presents a stark contrast with the parable of the rich fool. A man, consumed by his wealth, builds larger barns to store his possessions, only to have his life demanded of him that very night. Jesus warns us against the dangers of greed and the illusion that our lives are secure because of what we own. The parable challenges us to examine our priorities and to recognize that true wealth lies in our relationship with God, not in material possessions.
Together, these readings remind us that our ultimate security and happiness do not come from what we accumulate, but from living in accordance with God’s will. We are called to trust in His grace, to live with gratitude for the gifts we have been given, and to use them in service to others. Let us reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves: Are we storing up treasures on earth, or are we building a treasure in heaven? May we strive to live with hearts that are rich in God, rather than consumed by the fleeting allure of this world.