FIRST READING

“This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:21-33)

Brethren: Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his body, and is himself its Saviour. As the Church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the Church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM psalm128:1-2.3.4.5 (R. 1a)

R/. Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord

And walk in his way!

By the labour of your hands you shall eat.

You will be blessed and prosper. R/.

Your wife like a fruitful vine

in the heart of your house;

your children like shoots of the olive

around your table. R/.

R/. Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Indeed thus shall be blessed

the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Sion.

May you see Jerusalem prosper

all the days of your life! R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25

Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“The seed grew and became a tree.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 13: 15-21)

At that time: Jesus said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

St Paul exhorts the people to observe love and fidelity in marriage as very important to the understanding of the union between Christ and the Church. A husband and wife imitate Christ in his love and fidelity for the church. They leave their own respective families to form a new unit where they give each other in unconditional love and fidelity. They are no longer two, but one flesh just as Christ is one with the Church and loves her unconditionally. In such a family of love there is mutual respect, spirit of sacrifice and stronger faith in God. St Paul’s exhortations are relevant for our times more than ever.

FIRST READING

“Walk in love, as Christ loved us.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4: 32-5 :8)

Brethren: Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 1:1-2.3.4 and 6 (R. see Eph 5:1)

R/. Let us be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Blessed indeed is the man

who follows not the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the path with sinners,

nor abides in the company of scorners,

but whose delight is the law of the Lord,

and who ponders his law day and night. R/.

He is like a tree that is planted

beside the flowing waters,

that yields its fruit in due season,

and whose leaves shall never fade;

and all that he does shall prosper. R/.

R/. Let us be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Not so are the wicked, not so!

For they, like winnowed chaff,

shall be driven away by the wind.

For the Lord knows the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked will perish. R/.

ALLELUIA John 17:17ba

Alleluia. Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Ought not this daughter of Abraham be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? ”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 13:10-17)

At that time: Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Jealousy can really blind us both spiritually and physically. This is the case of the synagogue official who saw the glory of God at work but refused to acknowledge it and glorify God because he was full of himself, perhaps because of his mastery of the law. Jesus shows us, through his actions and words, why we should do good at all times, reach out in love, compassion and kindness to the needy, to follow the spirit of the law, and not to be blind to the needs of our neighbour. We shall never treat with disdain the effects of the work of God in others, but rather, glorify God in his might and glory.

FIRST READING

Christ is the head from whom the whole body is joined and knit together.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:7-16)

Brethren: Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and up builds itself in love.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 122:1-2.3-4ab.4cd-5 (R. see 1)

R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord”

And now our feet are standing within

your gates, O Jerusalem. R/.

Jerusalem is built as a city

bonded as one together.

It is there that the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord. R/.

R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

For Israel’s witness it is

to praise the name of the Lord.

There were set the thrones for judgement,

the thrones of the house of David. R/.

ALLELUIA Ezekiel 33:11

Alleluia. I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord, but that he turn from his way and live. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 13: 1-9)

There were some present at that very time who told Jesus of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The eschatological teaching of Jesus that we have learnt from this week’s readings is concluded with the call to repentance, acknowledging the fact that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Thus, we should never spend time accusing anyone of being a sinner but we should look inward for a proper self-examination. We indulge in judging and condemning others for their sins and weaknesses, but are we better off than those we condemn? Jesus gives us opportunities to repent, how well do we use those opportunities? Every day, every moment, every event, every warning is an opportunity for us to change and become fruitful and useful. We must change our sinful ways and become righteous, bearing fruit, or else we shall be condemned/cut off like the unfruitful fig tree.

FIRST READING

One body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Brethren: I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 24: 1-2.3-4ab.5-6 (R. see 6)

R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,

the world, and all who dwell in it.

It is he who set it on the seas;

on the rivers he made it firm. R/.

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who shall stand in his holy place?

The clean of hands and pure of heart,

whose soul is not set on vain things. R/.

R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.

Blessings from the Lord shall he receive,

and right reward from the God who saves him.

Such are the people who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25

Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke l2:54-59)

At that time: Jesus said to the multitudes, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

St Paul, from his prison experience, passionately appeals to the Christians to live a life that is worthy of their calling. He enumerates variety of virtues that match our lofty Christian vocation: “…. Lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” Jesus elaborates on the same virtues as he asks his disciples to make peace with our opponents and offenders. God never count our offences, and we too need to reach out to others in love and kindness. Another important quality for Christians is to be wise in judging and interpreting the signs of the times. This is the time of the visitation of God in Christ, but the people have failed miserably to read his presence. How worthy are we for the name Christian?

FIRST READING

Rooted and grounded in love, may you be filled with all the fullness of God.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3 :14-21)

Brethren: I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:1-2.4—5.11- 12.18-19 (R. 5b)

R/. The Lord’s merciful love fills the earth.

Ring out your joy to the Lord,

O you just; for praise is fitting for the upright.

Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;

with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. R/.

For the word of the Lord is faithful,

and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right,

and his merciful love fills the earth. R/.

R/. The Lord’s merciful love fills the earth.

The designs of the Lord stand forever,

the plans of his heart from age to age.

Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people he has chosen as his heritage. R/.

Yes, the Lord’s eyes are on

those who fear him,

who hope in his merciful love,

to rescue their souls from death,

to keep them alive in famine. R/.

ALLELUIA Philippians 3:8-9a

Alleluia. I count everything as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

I have not come to give peace, but rather division.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 12:49-53)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Today’s gospel shocks the mind with utter bewilderment concerning the personality of Jesus. Is the prince of Peace now an entity of confusion and contradiction? No! Fire purifies and Baptism washes anew. That is the state of affairs that the gospel of Christ institutes. The truth purifies the earth and washes it anew, such that the people of the world refuse to hear it because of its purifying effect. Thus, the rancor and confusion stated in the gospel is the effect of the truth. The gospel urges us to an examination of conscience to speak the truth that brings peace to the righteous but causes division to an unsettled mind. When the truth of the gospel is proclaimed, righteous hearts are at peace but the heart of the wicked is in trouble with divisions, confusion, fire and rancor. Indeed, Jesus has brought everlasting peace and truth! How do we relate with this gospel?

FIRST READING

The mystery of Christ has now been revealed, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs of the promise.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:2- 12)

Brethren: I assume that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ; which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realised in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6 (R. see 3)

R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of the Saviour.

“Behold, God is my salvation:

I will trust, and will not be afraid;

for the Lord God is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation.”

With joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation. R/.

“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the nations,

proclaim that his name is exalted.” R/.

R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of the Saviour.

“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;

let this be known in all the earth.

Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Sion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 24:42a.44

Alleluia. Watch, therefore, and be ready; the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required.”

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 12:39-48)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have been awake and would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly I tell you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

The eschatological discourse continues to build, telling us about the need for our preparedness for the coming of God’s kingdom. We have here the stylistic Lukan analogy of master and servant relationship and punishment to paint a picture of judgement, heaven and hell. When the master will come is judgement day, and the banquet with the master is heaven, and condemnation is hell. If we knew when judgement will befall us, we shall be prepared in waiting, but unfortunately this knowledge is far from us. There will be total condemnation for those who heard the urgency of this coming, yet are unprepared. Those who have the will but no action to implement the master’s command will be punished, and those who are ignorant, will be given a lighter punishment. What category do you belong to? The master’s house, the kingdom of heaven, should be our priority. Don’t forget: to whom much is given, much more is expected.

FIRST READING

Luke alone is with me.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:10-17ab)

Beloved: Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 17-18 (R. see 12a)

R/. Your saints, O Lord, make known the glory of your reign.

All your works shall thank you, O Lord,

And all your faithful ones bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your reign,

And declare your mighty deeds. R/.

To make known your might to the children of men,

And the glorious splendour of your reign.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;

Your rule endures for all generations. R/.

R/. Your saints, O Lord, make known the glory of your reign.

The Lord is just in all his ways,

And holy in all his deeds.

The Lord is close to all who call him,

Who call on him in truth. R/.

ALLELUIA John 15:16

Alleluia. I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit and that fruit should abide, says the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:1-9)

At that time: The Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Luke is a worthy companion of St Paul, the Apostle. Even when others desert him, Luke stays with Paul as a companion in his mission. Through this, Luke is able to learn more about the scripture and later writes his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. In the Gospel, Jesus appoints the seventy-two and sends them out two by two. A companion is necessary in preaching the word. Company helps because it gives confidence that one is not alone. It brings about some sharing before going to preach and it makes for better evangelization. Preachers of the word should learn how to live in company as it helps in evangelization. Communion with one another make us share in communion with God.

FIRST READING

“He made us alive together with Christ and made us sit with him in the heavenly places.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2: 1-10)

Brethren: You he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit, with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God — not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 100: 1-2.3.4.5 (R. 3b)

R/. The Lord made us; we belong to him.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing for joy. R/.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.

He made us; we belong to him.

We are his people, the sheep of his flock. R/.

R/. The Lord made us; we belong to him.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with songs of praise.

Give thanks to him, and bless his name. R/.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,

eternal his merciful love.

He is faithful from age to age. R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 5:3

Alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“The things you have prepared, whose will they be?”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 12: 13-21)

At that time: One of the multitude said to Jesus, “Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?” And he said to them, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Today the Lord puts before us a parable that mirrors the dual nature of our human inclinations – the pursuit of wealth and the salvation of souls. Physical and spiritual wellbeing divide our thoughts along whether to continue in merriment and debauchery or to turn our face back to the creator for salvation. In this parable, the most cherished of both worlds is highlighted, the salvation of the soul. Store up for yourself righteousness that will last for eternity. Earthly inheritance, success and wealth without a spiritually balanced personality is worthless. We must put our trust in God with whom our success is secured. What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?