Word for the Weekend: I shall build bigger barns!

Ends of Barns by Georgia O'Keefe
It's never too early in the week to look ahead to the scriptures for the following weekend's liturgy. On the weekend of July 31/August 1 (can it be August already?) we'll be celebrating the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

You'll find the readings and commentary on them here and those of you escorting children to Mass will find hints for helping them prepare to hear the Word here. (And adults may find help at that children's site as well!)

The first lesson comes from Ecclesiastes and reminds us that "All things are vanity!" That's to say: much of what we prize is really futile and useless. These ancient words will not fail to touch us in this cyber age. Ecclesiastes prepares us to hear from Luke's gospel where Jesus reminds us of the folly of storing up all our stuff (in bigger and bigger barns!) while remaining poor in what matters to God. Again, these 1st century words have something important to speak to our hearts today.

The second lesson sounds a similar message: "Think of what is above, not of what is on earth... for Christ is all and in all." Writing to the Colossians, Paul teaches us about the new person we become in baptism: how we must put the old self and its practices to death and put on the new self which is being renewed in the image of its creator.

Are you baptized? Want to see what St. Paul believes you need to put to death that you might renewed in the Creator's image? Here's his list.


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