Romans 4:20-25
Luke 1:69-75
Luke 12:13-21
View Readings
Listen to Fr. Al Daily Bread Radio Program
INDEPENDENCE DAY
"I will say to myself: You have blessings in reserve for years to come. Relax!" —Luke 12:19
The man in today’s Gospel was already rich (Lk 12:16). He had several grain bins on his property (Lk 12:18). It had been a year since his last harvest, and still he had no room to store this year’s harvest. Therefore, his grain bins contained at least a year’s foodstores in reserve. Then he “had a good harvest” (Lk 12:16), so large he was bursting at the seams. God blessed this man in ways foretold by the prophets (see Am 9:13-14; Is 30:23-25).
Yet this man’s speech reveals his heart (Lk 6:45). Though rich, he was worried about his future. He could have thanked God for a bountiful harvest; instead, he told himself he was finally financially secure enough to “relax” (Lk 12:19). He could have shared his plenty with the hungry, thus growing rich for God. Instead, he only thought of growing rich for himself (Lk 12:21).
When deciding how to handle his harvest, he consulted himself rather than God. Now he would be self-sufficient, independent of a God he never mentions or thanks. His actions and words show he does not trust the very God Who continues to bless him so abundantly, Who cannot be outgiven, and Who continues to provide for him. In His mercy, God reserved a place for this man and all others who insist upon being independent of Him “for years to come” (Lk 12:19). It’s called hell.
We could also fall into this “trap” of desiring to be secure for the rest of our life (1 Tm 6:9). Repent! Trust in God alone.
Prayer: Father, I trust You alone for my daily needs (Mt 6:11). May I never turn from You in times of prosperity (Prv 30:7-9).
Promise: "Our faith will be credited to us also if we believe in Him Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." —Rm 4:24
Praise: St. Paul of the Cross founded the Congregation of the Passion, also known as the Passionists, a religious order devoted to spreading the memory of the Passion of Jesus (see 1 Cor 2:2).
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 2, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright ©
To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email
To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..
No comments:
Post a Comment