MONDAY OF THE 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR
Celebration: Ferial
Table of the Word
First Reading: Romans 4:20–25
Gospel: Luke 12:13–21
Theme: Rich Toward God: The Wisdom of Detachment and Generosity.
Reflection
The readings today unite in a quiet but profound call, to live by faith that trusts and to embrace detachment that frees.
In the first reading, St. Paul recalls the unwavering faith of Abraham:
“He did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” (Rom. 4:20)
Abraham believed against all odds, trusting not in human evidence but in divine faithfulness. His faith was credited to him as righteousness, and Paul reminds us that this same faith justifies us through Jesus Christ, who died and rose for our salvation. Faith, therefore, is not mere assent; it is a total surrender to the God who brings life out of barrenness and hope out of despair.
In the Gospel, a man approaches Jesus with a seemingly just request: to divide an inheritance. Yet Jesus discerns something deepe, the subtle poison of greed. He replies with piercing wisdom: “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Through the parable of the rich fool, Jesus exposes the tragedy of misplaced trust, a man who hoarded earthly wealth but neglected spiritual riches. His barns were full, yet his soul was empty. The night his wealth reached its height was the night his life was required of him.
The lesson is clear: riches without righteousness are vanity; possessions without purpose are perilous. To be rich toward God means to live in gratitude, generosity, and readiness for eternity.
That is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 2544) teaches:
"Jesus enjoins His disciples to prefer Him to everything and everyone, and bids them renounce all that they have for His sake and that of the Gospel.”
And St. John Chrysostom warns: “Not to share one’s wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood.”
The call of Christ, therefore, is not condemnation of wealth but the conversion of desire, to see possessions as instruments of love, not ends in themselves.
Faith, as Abraham lived it, trusts fully in God’s providence; and generosity, as Jesus teaches it, stores treasure where moth and rust cannot destroy in the heart of God.
Beloved in Christ, let us live by trust, not accumulation. Let your security rest in God’s faithfulness, not in possessions.
Be rich in generosity. Share your time, talents, and treasure as a sign of gratitude and faith. Let every gift received be for common good. Also let us cultivate interior freedom.
Finally, let us hang on the fact that: “The heart that trusts in God never runs out of riches; for its treasure is eternal.”
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 20102025
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