18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 31, 2022)

Eccles 1.2; 2.21-23; Col 3.1-5, 9-11; Lk 12.13-21

• We often hear that wealth, power, and pleasure are the things that we should strive for; that our happiness, our true joy, is found in them. Today’s readings tell us the very opposite. “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” Power, riches, and pleasure are transitory in nature; they will pass away with time.

• Our true happiness is found in seeking the things that are above, where Christ is. In Him, we find true and lasting riches. This is true wisdom.

• St. Paul tells us to put to death every form of idolatry, including greed. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has taught us this by word and by example. As followers of Christ, we must live simply, heeding Christ’s words to guard against every form of greed, “For one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions”.

• This detachment from riches helps us to walk in freedom; freedom to do good; freedom to love our neighbor and the poor among us.

Pro-Life Intercession

That professionals in every walk of life may “grow rich in the sight of God” by dedicating their skills to building a Culture of Life that protects every human being from conception to natural death, we pray to the Lord…