Daily Readings - Mon Oct 21 2024
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 encounter profound truths about grace, wealth, and our relationship with God. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works. It emphasizes that our salvation is a gift from God, who has created us for good works. This passage highlights the unity and purpose we find in Christ, being His handiwork, and the abundance of His grace.
The Gospel from Luke presents the parable of the rich fool, who, in his pursuit of wealth, forgets the true richness that comes from God. Jesus warns against greed and the illusion of security through material possessions. This parable teaches us to focus on spiritual wealth, recognizing that our lives are not measured by what we own but by our relationship with God.
Both readings call us to reflect on our priorities. Ephesians encourages us to trust in God's grace and live out our faith through good works, while Luke's parable warns against the dangers of materialism. Together, they remind us to seek spiritual growth and generosity, avoiding the trap of worldly wealth. The moral lesson is clear: true wealth lies in our connection with God, and we should strive to be rich in His eyes, living with gratitude and humility.