In a world of expanding barns, we are invited to become rich toward God
“In a world of expanding barns, we are invited to become rich toward God.” Today is Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church also offers the optional memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their companions, the North American Martyrs, or of Saint Paul of the Cross, priest and founder of the Passionists. The readings remain those of the weekday, yet the lives of these saints illuminate the Gospel’s call to radical detachment. The First Reading from Ephesians 2:1-10 proclaims the sheer gift of grace. Once we were dead in our transgressions, following the ruler of the power of the air and the desires of the flesh. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with him in the heavenly places. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, lest anyone boast. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand. The Responsorial Psalm answers with joyful recognitio...