💖 HOMILY - OCTOBER 21 💖

First Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10

Gospel - Luke 12:13-21

We all grapple with two common struggles in life: pride and selfishness. While the degree of pride and selfishness may vary from person to person, we all experience these tendencies to some extent. The readings today warn us that our pride and selfish attitude should not deprive us of the most generous gift of God, which is salvation.

In the first reading, Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that their salvation is a gift from God through their faith in Christ. He contrasts their former life, one of sin and separation from God, with the new life they have received through God’s generous love. Paul emphasizes that salvation is not something we can earn through our efforts or merits—it is a free gift from God. This truth calls us to a posture of humility before God, acknowledging that everything we have, including our very salvation, comes from His loving grace.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus is asked to settle a dispute over inheritance, but He refuses to get involved. He sees that the request comes from a place of greed, and so He uses the opportunity to teach a deeper lesson. Through the parable of the rich fool, Jesus warns against the dangers of greed and selfish accumulation of wealth. The rich man in the parable is consumed with storing up treasures for himself, planning only for his own comfort and security. But in the end, when his life is demanded of him, all his material wealth proves worthless. Jesus points out that true wealth lies not in earthly possessions but in being "rich toward God."

This parable carries a powerful message for us today. Greed is a serious threat, not just to our individual spiritual lives, but also to society as a whole. The desire to accumulate wealth and possessions for ourselves has led to numerous tragic consequences in the world—exploitation of the environment, poverty, and social inequality, just to name a few. Jesus’ warning against greed invites us to examine our own lives and attitudes toward material things.

Dear friends, today’s readings remind us of two important lessons. First, a life based on greed and the pursuit of wealth will never lead us to eternal life. Material possessions may give us a sense of pride and temporary security, but they cannot buy us a future in the hands of God. Our relationship with God and with others is what truly matters. Second, we are called to embrace humility before God, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him. Pride, like that of the rich man in the parable, distances us from God. When we live only for ourselves, without acknowledging God or others, we lose sight of the true purpose of life.

Let us remember that it is humility, not pride, that brings us closer to God. As we reflect on the blessings and resources we have, may we learn to hold them with open hands, recognizing that all we possess comes from God and should be used for His glory and the service of others. Let us walk humbly before the Lord, acknowledging His generosity, and rejecting the foolishness of selfishness and pride. May our lives reflect a spirit of gratitude and generosity, trusting in God’s providence, and seeking to be truly rich in the things that last: love, faith, and service to others.