Monday, October 22, 2018


Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21)

Both readings today speak of riches.  The Letter to the Ephesians, citing a passage from the Old Testament, says that God is “rich in mercy.”  It goes on to explain how this abundance is extended to humans in the “riches of grace” which is accessed by faith in Christ. 

The gospel offers contrasting riches.  Jesus warns the crowd not to seek material wealth with his parable about the rich farmer.  The man, who is called a fool, builds a storehouse with his surplus rather than use it to help the needy.  At the end of the story Jesus references God’s riches to exhort the people to be merciful and gracious.

The other day the lottery in our state publicized on highway billboards a $660 million jackpot.  No doubt thousands of people stopped on their way home to buy tickets.  The vast majority of us, even if we don’t want to become rich, feel the need for something more.  If we are wise and not foolish, we will seek that “more” in God’s riches.  With mercy and graciousness, we become like our Creator.  Seeing that, He will keep us as his own for all eternity.