Eighteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

"When the LORD, your God, brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that he would give you, a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, with houses full of goods of all sorts that you did not garner, with cisterns that you did not dig, with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant; and when, therefore, you eat your fill, take care not to forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. The LORD, your God, shall you fear; him shall you serve, and by his name shall you swear."

What we have in life isn’t ours. It is God’s. He has given us our life, health, goods, family, friends, and homes. He has instilled within each of us gifts, talents, and graces, which find their source, center, and summit in Him. We should never forget that we are merely borrowing all these things for a time. We should always be grateful for the goods God has given us. He has indeed delivered us from the slavery of sin and offered us a Promised Land filled with good things. We should fear disappointing Him and do everything we can to repay His unfathomable kindness by knowing, loving, and serving Him to the best of our abilities.

What goods, gifts, talents, and graces has God given us? Do we thank Him for all the goods we have? How can we know, love, and serve Him better?

O Lord, let us thank you through humble and faithful service.

Amen.