Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 Colossians 3:1-5,9-11 Luke 12:13-21
We all pray for various things at various times in our lives. Just think about what you have asked from God. Sometimes we are truly in need – in need of assistance with problems or people or health – but sometimes we “want” something other from God.
Today’s readings help us look at becoming “new” in the image of Christ. We are chastised by Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, not to focus on our old self but on our new, Christ-like self. We are warned in Ecclesiastes and in Luke’s Gospel not to be greedy. We need to be satisfied with what we have, whether we are rich or poor.
Why is it that we are always seeking something? Material goods often draw us. In many ways, we search for something when we already have the risen Christ in our corner. In today’s world we are called to ask ourselves “How can I help those who have less than I? What can I do? We need to not only think this way but pray to our gracious God to grant us a generous heart.
And thus we pray as in today’s responsorial psalm:
Gracious God, fill us with your kindness and prosper the work of our hands. May we guard against greed and the amassing of possessions. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your son. Amen.
Sr. Barbara Werner, OP