Daily Readings - Mon Oct 23 2023
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 in God, and the dangers of materialism. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul emphasizes Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of his circumstances, Abraham trusted in God’s power and fidelity, and this faith was credited to him as righteousness. Paul makes it clear that this righteousness is not just for Abraham but for all who believe in God’s promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us that true faith is not about doubting or wavering but about trusting in God’s plan and His ability to fulfill His promises.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns us against the temptation of greed and the illusion of security through material possessions. The parable of the rich fool who builds larger barns to store his wealth is a stark reminder that life is not measured by what we own. The man in the parable thinks he has secured his future by accumulating more, but God calls him a fool because he has failed to recognize that true wealth lies in a relationship with Him. This parable challenges us to examine our priorities and to ask whether we are storing up treasures on earth or in heaven.
Both readings call us to live with a deeper trust in God and a detachment from worldly possessions. Abraham’s faith teaches us to rely on God’s promises rather than our own strength or resources. The parable of the rich fool warns us against allowing materialism to distract us from what truly matters—our relationship with God. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, or do we place our security in what we own? Let us strive to live simply, generously, and with hearts fixed on eternal treasures.