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Gospel Reading for October 19, 2026 – Luke 12: 13-21
NO ONE KNOWS
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”
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The man in the parable was so greedy that he could not see that since God had provided him with more than enough, the excess was no longer meant for him alone. It was meant to be shared with others in need.
Since all resources come from God, including our ability to produce a good harvest, our intelligence, our good business sense, and the many other gifts we receive, the best way to show our gratitude to him is to share what we can with others on this planet—whether human beings, animals, or other living things in our environment.
Everything God provides today is meant to sustain the lives of the people living in this world today. Future generations will likewise receive provisions from God during their lifetime on earth.
NO ONE KNOWS when we will be called away from this world. When we reflect on this, we will realize that GREED IS FOOLISHNESS AND USELESS. It may even cost us eternal life.
Lord Jesus, teach us to value the riches that truly matter to God. Amen.
