SOCL, 18C
- Admin
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
Sunday August 03, 2025
See
If any lesson were to be learned from times of recession, surely it would resemble today’s Gospel. Riches are precarious; material security is unstable; dreams of untroubled longevity are soon dispelled by “events.” Paradoxically, our experience of life as fickle can take us in quite opposite directions. We might be tempted to plunge ourselves into more enjoyment of the present moment, as St Paul caustically observes: “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1Corinthians 15:32 NET) The road less travelled is to become “rich towards God.” It still means enjoying and living the present moment, but in a completely different, deeper and ultimately more lasting way.
Listen
Reflect
(Luke 112:13-21)
“One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions”, said Jesus. What have you found by experience to be more important in life than possessions? What brought this home to you?
“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed”. Perhaps you have seen how greed can lead to trouble in public life, in family life, and in the personal life of individuals. What has helped you to guard against greed? What benefits have you experienced when you were less greedy?
The message of the parable could be summed up in saying, “If you want to give God a laugh, tell him your plans”. Life takes many twists and turns we do not anticipate. When have you found that have had to change your plans because of unexpected circumstances? What has helped you to be flexible and resourceful at such times?
Pray
O God, the giver of every gift that endures, only by your grace can we rightly understand the wonder of life and why it is given. By the word of your Son challenge our foolishness, confront our greed, and shape our lives to the wisdom of the Gospel. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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