Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10: We were once dead in sin, living selfishly. God’s mercy and love revived us through Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, not earned. We’re created for good works pre-planned by God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 100: The Lord is God, and we are his people. Serve him with joy and come into his presence with thanksgiving and praise. His kindness and faithfulness last forever.
• Gospel – Luke 12:13-21: Jesus warns against greed, emphasizing that life isn’t just about accumulating possessions. He illustrates this with a parable about a rich man foolishly hoarding his wealth, only to die unexpectedly.

Lectionary Reference: 473

Upcoming dates: October 20, 2025, October 22, 2029, October 20, 2031, October 17, 2033

Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.

Luke 12:21

Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 calls us to reflect on how we live our lives and where we place our trust. Both the First Reading from Ephesians 2:1-10 and the Gospel from Luke 12:13-21 remind us to focus on God’s grace and not on material wealth or personal achievements.

• God’s Grace Saves: We are saved by God’s grace, not by anything we do on our own. Ephesians reminds us that we were dead in sin, but God brought us to life in Christ.
• Faith, Not Works: Salvation comes through faith, not by works. The reading from Ephesians shows that good works are a response to God’s grace, not the reason for salvation.
• Warning Against Greed: The Gospel warns us about the danger of storing up wealth. Jesus tells a parable about a man who hoarded his riches but did not prepare for his soul.
• Temporary Nature of Riches: Riches on earth are fleeting. In the Gospel, Jesus explains that life is not about gathering wealth but being “rich toward God.”
• Spiritual Renewal: Ephesians speaks about how God gives new life through Christ. This renewal is a gift that transforms our hearts to seek what pleases God.
• Eternal Perspective: Both readings point us toward thinking about eternity. Earthly possessions will fade, but our relationship with God is eternal.

Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to reflect on where our hearts are focused. It reminds us that trusting in God’s grace and looking to eternal life is far more important than the things of this world.

Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 offers readings that encourage us to reflect on what truly matters in life. The First Reading from Ephesians reminds us that salvation is a gift from God’s grace, while the Gospel warns us about the fleeting nature of wealth and possessions. Both readings guide us to focus on faith and our eternal relationship with God.

Salvation Comes Through Faith

The reading from Ephesians for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that salvation is a gift from God. We cannot earn it by doing good works or by trying to be perfect on our own. Instead, it is through faith in Jesus that we are saved. This teaches us to trust in God’s love and mercy, rather than relying on our own efforts.

Good works are important, but they come after faith. They are a way for us to show our love for God and others. When we do good things, we should remember that we are doing them because God has been good to us first. Our good actions are a response to His grace.

This reading encourages us to rely on God’s grace in our daily lives. We should not be proud or think that we are better than others because of what we do. Instead, we should be humble and grateful for the gift of faith that leads to salvation.

Riches Are Fleeting

The Gospel for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 warns us that wealth and possessions do not last. Jesus tells a story about a man who stores up his riches, but it is all wasted because his life ends suddenly. This teaches us that money and material things are temporary and cannot give us lasting happiness.

It is easy to get caught up in wanting more things—more money, more comfort, more security. But Jesus reminds us that life is more than this. We should not let greed or the pursuit of wealth take our focus away from what really matters. The things of this world are here today and gone tomorrow.

Instead, Jesus invites us to be “rich toward God.” This means putting our trust in Him, and seeking to live according to His will. If we build our lives on faith, love, and kindness, we are storing up treasures in heaven that will last forever.

Focus on Eternity

Both the first reading from Ephesians and the Gospel from Luke for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourage us to think about eternity. Ephesians tells us that God gives us new life through Christ, while the Gospel warns us that earthly possessions are not what will last. Both of these messages remind us to look beyond this world and focus on our relationship with God.

It is easy to get distracted by the concerns of daily life. We might worry about money, success, or our plans for the future. But these things are temporary. What truly matters is our soul and where we stand with God. This is why we are called to keep our eyes on eternity.

By trusting in God and living according to His will, we prepare for the eternal life that is promised to us. Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. Everything else will pass away, but our faith and love for God will last forever.

---

As we reflect on the readings for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are called to examine where we place our trust. Are we focused on earthly things that will pass away, or are we investing in our faith and our relationship with God? Let us strive to live in a way that seeks eternity with God, rather than being caught up in temporary concerns.

Prayer

Lord, help us to put our trust in You, not in wealth or our own efforts. Guide our hearts to seek what lasts forever. Strengthen our faith so we may always choose to follow You and live in Your grace. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I better rely on faith rather than my own works for salvation?
• What are some ways I can be “rich toward God” in my daily life?
• How can I detach myself from material things and focus on what really matters?
• What steps can I take to keep my mind and heart focused on eternity with God?

Eternal Focus Over Earthly Gains

In this reflection for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the fleeting nature of worldly success and pleasures in today’s Gospel, emphasizing that these are destined to pass away. He uses the image of a firework to illustrate the ephemeral nature of all things, pointing out that this isn’t meant to depress us but to refocus our attention on eternal matters.

The central message is that storing treasures on Earth is futile when compared to the importance of being “rich in what matters to God.”

What date is Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday October 19, 2026.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday October 19, 2026 are:
First Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10: Grace and New Life
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 100: Joyful Worship
Gospel – Luke 12:13-21: Warning Against Greed

How does God bring us to life in the first reading for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

God brings us to life by offering us grace through Jesus. In Ephesians, this shows that we cannot save ourselves but rely on God’s gift to be spiritually alive.

What does it mean to be “dead in sin”?

In Ephesians, being “dead in sin” means living without God’s grace. It reminds us that when we live in selfishness and ignore God’s ways, we are separated from Him.

Why is it important to have faith, not just do good works?

In Ephesians, Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teaches us that faith is what connects us to God’s grace. Good works are important, but they come after faith, as a response to God’s love.

What does spiritual renewal mean in the first reading?

Spiritual renewal means letting God change our hearts and minds through His grace. Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that we become new people when we live in Christ.

What is Jesus teaching us about wealth in the Gospel?

In the Gospel for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus teaches that wealth does not bring lasting happiness. He reminds us that we should focus on our relationship with God, not on gathering possessions.

Why does Jesus warn about greed?

Jesus warns about greed because it distracts us from what truly matters. Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 shows us that greed can make us forget our need for God and others.

How should we live if riches don’t matter?

Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 calls us to live with trust in God rather than focusing on wealth. We should live generously and focus on being good in God’s eyes.

What does it mean to be “rich toward God”?

Being “rich toward God” means putting our hope and trust in Him, not in material things. Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to care more about our relationship with God than worldly success.

How can we apply the teachings of Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our daily lives?

We can apply these teachings by putting God first and avoiding selfishness. Instead of seeking material wealth, we should seek to live in a way that pleases God.

What is the main lesson from the Gospel parable about the rich man?

The main lesson is that earthly riches are temporary and cannot give us eternal life. Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 urges us to be ready for eternal life by trusting in God, not in wealth.