Faith Daily | 17 October 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p593

Almighty God,

your Son has opened for us

a new and living way into your presence:

give us pure hearts and steadfast wills

to worship you in spirit and truth;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 12: 13-21

13Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:Rev’d Graham

Even though Jesus may have felt quite upset by the question put to him, two things stand out right from the start. He does not take umbrage, but addresses the questioner as “Friend”. He then goes on to speak humbly in asking the question as to his role and status. No doubt, his response was addressed to the crowd so that they understood the message to follow was for them as well as the one who posed the question, just as it for us.

The parable which follows is one which is fairly well known, but points out situations which can, and often do, cause anxiety, even if they do not seem to at the time. If one is concerned primarily with accumulating more wealth and possessions, often people, even close ones, are often ignored and relationships disintegrate. When the goals have been reached – if they are reached – this does not necessarily result in a more pleasant lifestyle. Finally, Jesus reminds the crowd of the certainty of death, maybe an unexpected one, after which things of this world will have no value to the one who accumulated them.

As he does with this parable, Luke often finishes Jesus’ parables with what are known as wisdom statements. I believe this one contains for us a call to consider what we do with what we have, and how we use it to help those less fortunate when we can. It can be difficult at times. But what I find even more difficult is not to judge those who have much and continue to become even richer, while the poor struggle even more. However, I am heartened when I learn of the strong faith to continue that many of those less well-off have, and show by the happiness they demonstrate.

The lesson I hope I may learn from this parable is contained in Jesus’ wisdom statement in Luke 18, verse 14:

All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

FINAL PRAYER Jim Cotter “Unfolding the Living Word” p285

Rescuer and Redeemer,

Presence in the midst of storm and tempest,

be with us in the darker places of faith’s journey,

and help us to discern our freedom

in choosing what is difficult a if it were easy,

for then we shall have faith indeed,

and even at the bleakest times we shall praise.

We pray this after the pattern of Jesus

and in the power of the Spirit.

Amen.