Daily Readings - Mon Oct 23 2017
Romans
20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Luke
13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."'20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons that guide us in understanding the essence of faith and the perils of materialism. The first reading from Romans highlights Abraham's unwavering trust in God's promises, despite the seemingly impossible circumstances. His faith, rooted in God's reliability, was reckoned as righteousness, not just for himself, but for all believers. This passage reminds us that our faith in God's promises, especially in the resurrection of Jesus, is the foundation of our justification.
The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the rich fool, who, consumed by his wealth, builds larger barns to store his abundance. However, his life is suddenly demanded, leaving his wealth behind. This parable serves as a stark warning against greed and the illusion of security in material possessions. It challenges us to reflect on where we place our trust—whether in earthly riches or in God's providence.
These readings invite us to evaluate our priorities. Abraham's story encourages us to deepen our faith, trusting in God's plan even when the future seems uncertain. Conversely, the parable cautions us against allowing materialism to dominate our lives. As we navigate our daily lives, let us strive to cultivate a spirit of trust in God, seeking spiritual wealth over material wealth. May we remember that true security lies in our relationship with God, not in the abundance of possessions. Let us prayerfully assess our hearts, ensuring that our faith and trust are firmly rooted in Him.