Daily Readings - Mon Oct 19 2020
Ephesians
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--9not by works, so that no one can boast.10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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 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.