The Trap of the Golden Touch

Reflection Date: October 19, 2026 | Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
Daily Readings: Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21

Children of God:
Do you still remember the story about King Midas and his golden touch? 

There was once a king in Greek mythology named Midas who loved gold more than almost anything else in the world. Although he possessed great wealth, he always wanted to have more. 

One day, the god Dionysus offered him a reward, and Midas wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. 

Dionysus granted his wish, and the king excitedly tested his new power by touching branches, stones, and flowers, which immediately became precious gold. Midas celebrated because he imagined that his wealth would grow beyond anyone's dreams. 

However, when he tried to eat, the food turned into gold as soon as he touched it. When he reached for a drink, the water also became gold, leaving him thirsty and hungry despite his riches. 

And worse, when his beloved daughter approached him, and his touch turned her into a golden statue. Suddenly, the treasure he desired so desperately became a source of unbearable sorrow, and he realized that his wish had brought suffering instead of happiness. 

Midas learned that possessing everything he wanted meant very little if he lost the people and simple joys that made his life worth living. 

In the gospel story of Luke, Jesus told a parable about a rich man whose land produced an abundant harvest, and the man decided to build bigger barns to store all his grain and goods. 

He congratulated himself on his security, but God called him a fool because his life would end that very night, and his accumulated possessions could not save him.

What are our inspirations for today?

First, do not let the desire for more make you forget what you already have.

The rich man in Jesus' parable experienced an abundant harvest, but his first concern was where to store everything. He thought about building bigger barns and securing his possessions for the future, yet he never considered sharing his abundance with anyone in need. 

His plans revolved around himself, his goods, and his personal comfort. Jesus reminded his listeners about the danger of measuring a successful life by the amount of wealth a person accumulates.

We can easily fall into the same habit. We want a higher salary, a bigger house, a newer phone, better clothes, and more recognition from others. There is nothing wrong with working hard, improving our lives, or providing for our families. 

The problem arises when our desire for more makes us dissatisfied with what we have and blind to the people who need our attention, generosity, and love.

Jesus reminded his listeners that life was worth more than the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). 

Gratitude helps us recognize the blessings already present in our lives: a family that cares, friends who stay, food on the table, work that gives us purpose, and people who accompany us during difficult days. 

When we appreciate these gifts, we become less controlled by comparison and competition. We can still pursue our dreams while remembering that possessions are meant to support life, not become the purpose of life.

Do not let the desire for more make you forget what you already have.

Second, invest in the things that remain valuable even when money and possessions disappear.

The rich man believed that his stored grain guaranteed him many comfortable years. He planned to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy himself, as though the future belonged entirely to him. 

But God reminded him that his life could end that very night, leaving him unable to enjoy or control what he accumulated. 

Jesus challenged his listeners to consider what truly made a person rich in God's eyes.

This teaching invites us to look honestly at our priorities. We can spend years building a career, expanding a business, saving money, and acquiring property while neglecting our health, relationships, and spiritual lives. 

We can become so busy earning a living that we forget to live with the people we love. 

Success deserves appreciation, but it cannot replace the time, care, and presence that our loved ones need from us.

Jesus concluded that a person who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in 

what matters to God faces a serious spiritual danger (Luke 12:21). 

Being rich toward God means cultivating generosity, compassion, gratitude, and a willingness to help those who struggle. It means using our resources to feed the hungry, support our families, assist those in crisis, and bring hope to people who feel forgotten. 

The years we receive are precious, so let us spend them building relationships, serving others, and growing in love rather than simply increasing what we own.

Invest in the things that remain valuable even when money and possessions disappear.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: Am I so focused on earning more and acquiring more that I overlook the blessings and people already present in my life? 

If my possessions, savings, or achievements disappeared tomorrow, what values and relationships would still give my life meaning? How can I use my money, talents, and opportunities today to become more generous and richer in the things that matter to God?

Children of God:
Life is too precious to spend it chasing possessions while neglecting the people and values that give it meaning. 

Let us work diligently, provide responsibly for our families, and enjoy the blessings we receive without allowing greed to control our hearts. 

Let us remember that our worth does not depend on the size of our bank accounts, the brands we wear, or the things we own. 

True richness grows through gratitude, generosity, love, and our willingness to share what we have with others. 

May we become rich in the things that matter to God and use every blessing we receive to make life better for someone else.