Avert shameful death

EPHESIANS 2:1-10; PSALM 100; LUKE 12:13-21

Luke 12:13-21 presents us with the “Parable of the Rich Fool”. Biblically, a fool is one who rebels against God or who has forgotten God. The man rebelled by attributing all the glory to himself. He accumulated wealth but was not sensitive to the desires of God. Any Christian who accumulates wealth without amassing grace may die foolishly.

How can we avert shameful death? Don’t be a rich fool; don’t be a poor fool – one who seeks the face of God to fulfill their greed and appetite; don’t put your trust in riches and know that your soul will be required of you. Beloved, don’t just amass wealth equally endeavour to amass grace. What really matters is making ourselves rich in the sight of God. Thus, Paul reminds us in the first reading that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. Our faith in Jesus Christ must be translated into good deeds.

One of the outstanding bishops of the early Church was St. Ignatius of Antioch (50–107). In the course of the persecution under the emperor Trajan, he was put to death by wild beasts. He wrote seven great letters about the Person of Christ on his way to Rome, which we still have today.

LET US PRAY

Memorial of Saint Ignatius: Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendor, so it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. AMEN