“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Monday, 17th October 2016,
Twenty Ninth Week of Ordinary Time
Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Eph 2:1-10;
Ps 100:2-5;
Lk 12:13-21
BE RICH TOWARD GOD!
In the first reading, St Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, gives a beautiful description of God’s work of salvation in Christ Jesus, out of love for humanity. “God, who is rich in mercy,” he says, “out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” He concludes with what God expects our way of life to be: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” The gospel parable of the rich fool provides a perfect foil to this reflection of the first reading. After explaining the fate of the rich fool who didn’t give credit to God for the gifts he received, but considered all to be his own, to use as he desired, Jesus declares: “So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” God, out of love, has given us, not just material gifts but most importantly, the gift of faith in Jesus Christ that has brought us salvation. However, “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded” (Lk 12:48).
We are not being ‘extra good’ by being charitable, because “God prepared before hand for it to be our way of life.” Consequently, we can’t buy salvation by good works. St Paul clearly explains that “by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works.” Because we have received the gift of salvation, we must be charitable, not vice-versa. Therefore, Jesus exhorts “be rich toward God,” who has been unconditionally generous toward you. In other words, be generous in doing his will, in keeping his commandments, in giving him glory in all you do.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your gifts. Help me to share them with others. Amen.