18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23: The Teacher declares everything meaningless. Working hard only to leave the results to someone else is futile. Life is full of pain and worry, and this is also meaningless.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: God turns people back to dust, and life is fleeting like grass. Teach us to value our days and show us compassion. May God’s favor be upon us and our work.
• Second Reading – Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11: Focus on what is above, not on earthly things. Put to death sinful behaviors and renew yourself in Christ. Christ is everything and in everyone.
• Gospel – Luke 12:13-21: Jesus warns against greed and tells a parable of a rich man focused on storing wealth. God calls him a fool, reminding us that life is about being rich toward God.

Lectionary Reference: 114

Upcoming dates: August 3, 2025, August 3, 2031

On the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the readings call us to examine our values and priorities. They remind us to look beyond material wealth and focus on what is eternal. Here are some key themes from this Sunday’s readings.

• The Emptiness of Wealth: The first reading warns us that worldly riches and success can feel empty. It reminds us that only God can give lasting joy and fulfillment.
• Setting Hearts on Heaven: Paul encourages believers to seek what is above and keep their focus on God’s kingdom. This calls us to prioritize spiritual growth over material concerns.
• Letting Go of Greed: Jesus’ parable in the Gospel warns against greed and storing up riches. It shows that selfish desires can separate us from God and others.
• True Security in God: The readings remind us that earthly wealth is fragile, but God’s love is steady and secure. Our security and peace come from trusting in God rather than possessions.
• Living for Eternal Life: Paul calls us to focus on eternal life by living in a way that pleases God. This theme reminds us that our actions should reflect our hope in heaven.
• The Folly of Selfish Ambition: The Gospel warns against putting our ambitions above God and others. It challenges us to use our blessings to serve and to help others.
• Seeking Lasting Joy: The readings call us to seek joy that endures beyond this life. True joy comes from our relationship with God and living according to His ways.

These themes from the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourage us to live with purpose and hope in God. They remind us that true happiness and peace come from placing our lives in God’s hands.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

Psalm 90: Your Blueprint for a Purposeful Life

Psalm 90, the responsorial psalm for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, reminds us of God’s eternal nature and our own limited time on earth. This psalm urges us to use our days wisely, dedicating them to God’s service and purpose. Just as the Sunday readings warn against focusing on material wealth,

Psalm 90 calls us to live with intention, aligning our lives with God’s eternal plan. Recognizing that our days are brief encourages us to make them count by seeking what truly matters, drawing closer to God, and trusting in His everlasting love and guidance.

See a prayer based on Psalm 90.

You Can’t Take It With You

In this homily for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the need to detach from worldly goods and focus on what lasts. He explains that wealth, honor, and material success are temporary and can distract us from our true purpose. Using Ecclesiastes, the Gospel parable, and St. Paul’s advice, Bishop Barron encourages us to hold possessions lightly and live with generosity. True treasure lies not in wealth but in what we give away. He reminds us that only love and self-giving are carried into eternal life.

Where Is Your Heart?

In his reflection for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Jeff Cavins focuses on the choice between earthly treasures and heavenly rewards. He explains that true fulfillment comes from seeking God, not material wealth. The readings from Ecclesiastes, Colossians, and Luke warn against relying on possessions, encouraging us to build our treasure in heaven instead. Cavins reminds us that Jesus is the real treasure, and investing in our relationship with Him brings lasting joy. He invites us to focus on heavenly rewards by prioritizing faith, generosity, and love over temporary riches.

The Fool’s Vanity

In this reflection for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Scott Hahn encourages us to place our trust in God rather than in possessions. He reminds us of the Israelites’ journey and warns against the mistakes they made by testing God. Like the rich man in the Gospel, greed and worry can distract us from faith. Hahn explains that trusting in wealth is a form of idolatry, as it places value on earthly things over God. Instead, he calls us to treasure the new life we have in Christ and to seek the promise of heaven.

On the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the readings encourage us to examine our lives and consider what truly matters. They challenge us to see beyond wealth, success, and material comfort, reminding us that lasting joy comes only from God. Through Ecclesiastes, Colossians, and the Gospel of Luke, we are invited to let go of worldly concerns, focus on God’s purpose, and live with faith, love, and gratitude.

The Emptiness of Relying on Wealth

The first reading for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us that chasing after wealth and success alone can feel empty. Ecclesiastes describes how our accomplishments and hard work may bring satisfaction, but only for a while. Earthly things, no matter how much we gain, eventually lose their meaning. We might find ourselves asking, “Is this really all there is?”

This reading challenges us to think about what truly fulfills us. Material success, money, and achievements might seem important, but they are not lasting. They can make us feel good temporarily, but they cannot give us real purpose. True purpose comes from living for something greater than ourselves—living for God. When we put our faith in God, we find that our lives feel fuller and more meaningful.

This call from Ecclesiastes teaches us to build our lives around things that last. Loving God, serving others, and acting with kindness are the real riches in life. By letting go of our attachment to worldly success, we open our hearts to what God has in store for us. The message for this Sunday encourages us to focus on God’s purpose, finding peace and joy in what really matters.

Choosing to Live for Eternal Life

The second reading for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to live for what is eternal. Paul tells us to set our hearts on things above, meaning on God’s kingdom. This calls us to live with faith, love, and kindness, reflecting God’s teachings in how we treat others. When we act with honesty, compassion, and forgiveness, we are living beyond just the present moment.

Paul’s message helps us to think about what it means to follow Christ in our daily lives. Living for eternal life does not mean ignoring the present, but rather bringing God’s values into everything we do. We live with faith by being patient, by showing love, and by putting others before ourselves. In this way, we prepare our hearts for eternity.

Each day, we have a choice to focus on things that last. By following God’s path, we find that our lives become richer in love and purpose. These actions don’t just affect us; they also inspire and bless others. The message of the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to make choices that lead to a life of true, lasting joy with God.

Letting Go of Greed

In the Gospel for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Jesus tells a parable that warns us about the dangers of greed. He describes a man who stores up many possessions, thinking he has secured his future. However, his wealth is ultimately meaningless, and his life ends with nothing to show for it. The parable teaches that greed can lead us away from God and isolate us from others.

Greed makes us focus only on ourselves, which keeps us from truly loving others. When we become consumed by a desire for more, we may lose sight of what God wants for us. Greed pulls us away from the happiness that comes from caring and sharing. Jesus calls us to let go of greed so that we can open our hearts to others and to God.

The Gospel this Sunday encourages us to place our trust in God rather than in material things. By letting go of our desire for more and choosing to live simply, we can find peace. This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy what we have, but it reminds us that God, not wealth, is our true source of joy. The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C calls us to find that joy by putting God and others first in our lives.

The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C calls us to reflect on where we place our trust and what we value most. These readings remind us that God’s love and purpose offer real fulfillment, far beyond what the world can provide. By seeking God’s kingdom first, we open our lives to lasting peace, joy, and a deep connection with Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us let go of worldly worries and seek Your love above all else. Remind us to live simply, with kindness and trust in You. Guide us to focus on what truly matters and to find joy in Your presence each day. Amen.

• What do you think it means to rely on God rather than on wealth or success?
• How can we find lasting purpose in our everyday actions?
• What is one way you could focus more on eternal values this week?
• How does greed or selfishness affect your relationship with God and others?
• How might you simplify your life to open more space for God?
• What can you do to place more trust in God during difficult times?
• How does it feel to think of life as a journey toward eternal life with God?
• What blessings or joys have you received that go beyond material wealth?
• How can you show kindness and compassion in small ways this week?
• What do you need to let go of to find true peace and fulfillment?

These music selections reflect the themes of trust, humility, and the search for true purpose found in the readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. Many of the songs emphasize the importance of setting aside worldly concerns and seeking God above all. These songs help draw our hearts to God and encourage us to find our rest in Him alone.

• A Rightful Place by Steve Angrisano
• All People That on Earth Do Dwell
• Be Thou My Vision by Audrey Assad
• Beautiful Things by Gungor
• Belong to You by Stephen McWhirter
• Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
• Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today
• City of God by Dan Schutte
• Come as You Are by Crowder
• Come to Jesus by Josh Blakesley & Sarah Hart
• Empty by Tom Booth
• Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster
• Forever by Chris Tomlin
• I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light by Kathleen Thomerson
• If Today You Hear His Voice by Jesse Manibusan
• In Christ There Is No East or West by William A. Dunkerley
• Lead Me, Lord by John D. Becker
• O Beauty, Ever Ancient by the St. Louis Jesuits
• Our Life Is Hidden with Christ by Bob Hurd
• Restless is the Heart by Bernadette Farrell
• Seek Ye First by Karen Lafferty
• This Alone by the St. Louis Jesuits

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections and consider how they bring out the message of the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. Feel free to try these pieces and suggest your own choices in the comments. Let’s share ways to bring these themes of faith and trust to life through music!

What date is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The next date is Sunday August 3, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

What are the Mass readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The Mass readings for Sunday August 3, 2025 are:
First Reading – Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23: The Futility of Life
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: Listen to God’s Voice
Second Reading – Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11: Seek What Is Above
Gospel – Luke 12:13-21: The Parable of the Rich Fool

What is the main message of the first reading from Ecclesiastes for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The first reading reminds us that relying on wealth or achievements alone can feel empty. It shows us that only God can give lasting purpose and meaning in life.

How does greed separate us from God?

Greed can make us focus only on ourselves, which blocks us from truly loving God and others. When we let go of greed, we can open our hearts to care more for others and live with peace.

Why does Paul talk about focusing on what is above in the second reading for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

Paul encourages us to set our hearts on God rather than on earthly things. This means we should prioritize faith, kindness, and compassion, focusing on the values that lead us toward eternal life.

What does it mean to live for eternal life?

Living for eternal life means focusing on God’s teachings and living in ways that reflect faith and love. When we act with kindness, honesty, and forgiveness, we are choosing to live for something beyond just the present.

What does the Gospel parable for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C teach about wealth?

The parable in the Gospel warns us against storing up possessions and riches for ourselves. It reminds us that our true treasure lies in our relationship with God, not in the things we own.

How can I find security in God rather than in money or success?

Placing our trust in God gives us peace that material wealth cannot provide. We find security by building a relationship with God, knowing that His love will sustain us through everything.

Why is selfish ambition called foolish in these readings?

The readings show that selfish ambition makes us focus on our own goals instead of God’s will. This attitude can harm our relationships with others and block us from experiencing real joy and purpose.

How can these readings from the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C help us find joy?

They remind us that true joy comes from God and from loving others. By seeking God’s presence and focusing on what is eternal, we can find peace and joy that last.