with the Notre Dame family of faith
Welcome to FaithND, the spiritual home of the Notre Dame family. Brought to you by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association » About FaithND
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
When we think about greed, we often think about an abundance of physical possessions. I personally think about how I want more shoes when I already have a lot or putting more money into my investment portfolio. In today’s Scripture, though, Jesus invites us to examine what possessions truly mean in our daily lives.
At first, it seems like God is being unfair to the rich man. The rich man worked hard and produced a bountiful harvest. Shouldn’t he be able to enjoy the fruits of his labor? In a way, I am reminded of my own preparation for my future as a college student. Life sometimes seems like an endless path of taking the right steps towards a secure future: maintain a good GPA, join the right clubs, secure an internship, get a return offer, and more. The preparations never end.
Sometimes, I feel like the future is something I must create by “storing” more things in my resume. Through the parable, though, Jesus challenges us to think beyond our future in this world, because at the end of our time on earth, what was ours—what we collected and prepared for this world—cannot be taken with us in the afterlife. Rather, we are called to seek the true richness that matters to God, measured through union with God and works of love.
Pondering what Jesus tells us makes me feel more at peace about my future—it’s not all about my preparations. As we go through our daily lives, may we think about Jesus’ words and focus on what truly matters to God.
Father, creator of all, you are the center of all life. Everything in this world points to you and leads us to you. Today we ask you for the grace to keep you at the center of our lives, to use you as the reference point of all our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to get ourselves out of the center of attention, and put you there. In serving you, we hope to give our best selves to all whom we encounter this day. Amen.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
Karen Dehais
Concluding this season is a conversation with Karen Dehais ’85, detailing her work with Catholic Charities, her continued service to Notre Dame, and thoughts on finding balance in her career and family life.
Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek
We sit down with Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek, who provide a glimpse into a marriage and family life defined by mutual growth in faith, support through career changes, and true confidence in the love they have for each other.
Prof. Meghan Sullivan
Prof. Meghan Sullivan shares the ways God has guided important moments in her life, including teaching philosophy at Notre Dame, creating the God and the Good Life course, and serving as a key leader in the conversation about faith and artificial intelligence.
Deacon Kevin Conneely
Deacon Kevin Conneely ’85, from Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, offers his perspective on family life, transitioning from trial lawyer to permanent deacon, and helping a community heal in the aftermath of unfathomable tragedy.
Dr. Joanna Fava
We join Dr. Joanna Fava ’01 for a moment of gentle conversation as she reflects on her work as a psychologist, how she helps people find hope in the midst of trauma, and where her faith guides her in a broader life of service.
Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC
A priest who has been a professor, administrator, and university president, Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC, has offered his gifts to many people and places over the years.
Bobby Kloska
Sit in the pub with Bobby Kloska ’90, a man whose deep faith, hopeful outlook, and profound joy may seem surprising given the many hardships he has faced in life.
Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM
We conclude this season with the unique perspective of Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM, a physician and Navy veteran who discovered a latent call to religious life with the Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Kristin Komyatte Sheehan
Having spent much of her time cheering from various sidelines, Kristin Komyatte Sheehan ’90 offers a seasoned perspective on the place of faith and virtues in all types of athletics.
Tim and Ryan O’Neill
Share in the music and story of The O’Neill Brothers, who have touched many lives through their talents on the piano as well as more recently by establishing a family foundation.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
We next share the story of Laura Kelly Fanucci ’03, a Catholic author whose joy shines even through moments of deep suffering, giving witness to an integrated life of love and compassion for others.
Dr. Craig Humphreys
Travel from Alaska to Africa with Dr. Craig Humphreys ’86 as he describes finding God in nature, the love of his family, and the people he has served around the world.
Fr. Joe Carey, CSC
Whether in the residence halls, wedding churches, or teaching communities of the Alliance for Catholic Education, Fr. Joe Carey, CSC, has become a resource, friend, and spiritual mentor to so many over the years.
Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas
We begin Season 12 with the beautiful and sometimes heart-rending story of Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas, a married couple who have combined their lives after the shared cross of losing their first spouses to a rare illness.
Prof. Margaret Pfeil
Season 11 concludes with Prof. Margaret Pfeil, including her long-time commitments of living at the local Catholic Worker community, advocating for peace, and seeking justice for all of God’s people.
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC, shares the moments that eventually led him to a vocation in religious life and priesthood, along with a specific ministry of forming aspiring Catholic teachers.
Avis Boyd
We continue this season with Avis Boyd, a longtime volunteer and alumna of Notre Dame, as she shares her perspective on moving through life with purpose, conviction, and a deep faith, even in the face of adversity.
Tim and Lindsay Will
Meet Tim and Lindsay Will, two graduates of the Alliance for Catholic Education program, who help us contemplate the meaning of loss, love, and the family ties that bind us to one another.
Dr. Andrew McShane
Hear the story of Dr. Andrew McShane, Director of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, as he reflects on a vocation that took shape over time through beautiful music, unexpected loss, and the lasting example of others.
Nan Tulchinsky
Sit courtside with Nan Tulchinsky, a longtime scorekeeper for Notre Dame Women’s and Men’s Basketball, as she shares stories of her remarkable life of dedication to her family, local community, and Catholic faith.
Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
We begin a new season with Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, as he shares his path towards religious life and priesthood, co-founding a new expression of Franciscan life, and the unexpected calling of a new ministry.
Veronica Alonzo
We complete this season by speaking with Veronica Alonzo, Associate Superintendent for the Dallas Catholic Schools, about discovering meaning in personal loss, her vocation as an educator, and perspectives on Catholic education.
Dr. Jim O’Connell
Walk the streets of Boston with Dr. Jim O’Connell as he describes his long path to a medical career and the surprising, longstanding vocation of serving others through the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program.
Lisa Orchen
Lisa Orchen details her calling to ministry in the Church and how that has changed over the years as the demands of life have shifted, always requiring continual discernment of God’s will.
We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Receive each day’s gospel reading and a short reflection written by a unique member of the Notre Dame family, along with a prayer composed by a Holy Cross priest and a link to learn more about the featured Saint of the Day — right in your inbox!