Let us do what is right before God

Rom. 4:20-25, Lk. 12:13-21. While Paul affirms the power of faith to justify us in today's first reading, he does not mean to devalue the good works that are also vital to Christian life. He is not saying that, to be saved, we need do nothing more than believe in Christ, or recite the Creed. Paul was deeply aware of the example of Jesus, who went about doing good, teaching, healing, listening, defending and supporting the poor. If simple belief were enough on its own without accompanying practice, it would contradict the message of great prophets like Isaiah, who promoted a faith expressed through works of justice. It is this work of justice that will help us to think of equal distribution of wealth and not to be greedy to hoard things. Today's Gospel reminds us of the faults of omission and warns us against greed in all its forms.

Jesus took the opportunity of the man who invited Jesus to intervene in a family dispute over an inheritance to comment on the dangers of greed, which he illustrated with a parable. The parable focuses on a farmer who once had a wonderful harvest, but the abundance of his crops caused him a problem. He immediately began to worry about how to store all his extra grain. He devotes his energies to building bigger barns to store all his surplus goods, so as to secure his future. Through the parable, Jesus taught us that possessions cannot guarantee life. Today, we are challenged not to selfishly hoard all that you have, instead of doing what is right in the sight if God.

May the Lord be the beginning and end of all we do and say and prompt our actions with His grace to avoid greed in our hearts! Amen!! Good morning and have a productive week!!!