25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word:
True disciples bear the character of Jesus.
Theme:
We bear the character of Jesus when we are trustworthy stewards of the gifts and talents He has given us.
Promise:
“He raises up the lowly from the dust…to seat them with princes…”(Ps 113:7)
Reflection:
Scriptural readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (2016) highlight the Lord’s teachings on stewardship and our role as trustworthy stewards of the resources entrusted to us for the benefit of all, especially the poor.
In the first reading God warns those who “trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land” (Am 8:4). “Never will I forget a thing they have done!” (Am 8:7), says the Lord. This strong message exhorts us to be trustworthy stewards of the worldly resources – riches, gifts and talents – that God has given us, reminding us to share these with others, especially those who have less in life – the under-privileged and the disadvantaged in our society. The responsorial psalm echoes the same concern for the poor, as we “praise the Lord who lifts up the poor,” (Ps 113:1). For God indeed, “raises up the lowly from the dust…to seat them with princes…”(Ps 113:7).
In the second reading, St. Paul asks that prayers be offered for everyone, including those who are in authority, so that all may lead a peaceful life with dedication and dignity, free from anger and dissension. Prayer for those in authority is pleasing to God because God truly desires that all will be saved and share His eternal dwelling. But to be worthy of this reward, we are to live a righteous life as trustworthy disciples, in peace and harmony, with no false distinctions or inequality based on earthly human values, as if we are actually practicing for a perfect community in heaven. For while we come from diverse backgrounds, different walks of life, status and circumstances, we are all God’s children, gifted with understanding and wisdom, which when used for the benefit of all, enables us to be trustworthy stewards, not just of the inexhaustible resources of the world, but of one another.
The Gospel recounts the story of a dishonest steward, who is commended for acting prudently and for being smart and enterprising. The steward was definitely not trustworthy, having connived to cheat his master of what was due him. But he acted judiciously by ensuring that should he lose his stewardship, he will have a fall back position with the help of others. In a way, the dishonest steward used whatever remaining resources he had to cover himself. By writing off the interest on the debts, he probably lost his commission on what may possibly have been a usurious practice, thus gaining favor with the debtors and possible future masters! Jesus says, “Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings,” (Lk 16:9).
Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that while all things in the world are transitory, we should put them in proper perspective. Christians should handle the affairs of a temporal life with prudence while aiming for eternal life. “No servant can serve two masters…you cannot serve God and mammon,” (Lk 16:13). The best attitude towards material wealth is not to be consumed by it, but to resist the desire to accumulate more and more, maintain an attitude of detachment and willingness to share and give of our resources, whether it be our time, talent, or treasure. We cannot bring earthly treasures to the next life, and the true riches aspire for are found in God’s eternal dwelling.
We, in the BLD Community, are given a great opportunity to serve God as responsible stewards of our time, talents and treasures by helping to build our community. All of us are called to use our God-given gifts to promote His kingdom through our evangelization and mission programs. We should joyfully develop our personal and communitarian gifts that we can be of greater service as district leaders, teachers, sharers, worship leaders, volunteers and missionaries. We should always remember that being prudent with wealth does not mean keeping it stashed away in a bank, or hidden from others. Apart from being accountable for our behavior towards our fellowmen, we have also been given stewardship over God’s created universe. Let us respect nature and be worthy stewards of the rest of His Creation, including domestic animals and the wildlife around us. For “the person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great one,” (Lk16:10).
Prayer:
Jesus, You forgive our sins and give us unceasing chances to do what is right. Help us to be worthy of Your trust and obedient to Your call. Let your Holy Spirit fill us with the grace to be trustworthy stewards of the gifts, talents and resources You have entrusted us, that we may share these with those in need, especially the least, the last, and the lost, as we help build your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have concern for the poor? As BLD disciples do you share your blessings of time, talent and treasure by giving all you can to help in the community’s mission work, especially for the poorest of the poor?
2. Are you a prudent steward of the gifts that God has given you?
3. Are you honest and generous with your love offering and tithes to the Lord through your community?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
September 18, 2016 (Sun) Am 8:4-7/Ps 113:1-2,4-6,7-8/1 Tm 2:1-8/Lk 16:1-13
September 19, 2016 (Mon) Prv 3:27-34/Ps 15:2-5/Lk 8:16-18
September 20, 2016 (Tue) Prv 21:1-6,10-13/Ps 119:1,27,30,34,35,44/Lk 8:19-21
September 21, 2016 (Wed) Eph 4:1-7,11-13/ps 19:2-5/Mt 9:9-13
September 22, 2016 (Thu) Eccl 1:2-11/Ps 90:3-6,13-13,17/Lk 9:7-9
September 23, 2016 (Fri) Eccl 3:1-11/Ps 144:1-4/Lk 9:18-22
September 24, 2016 (Sat) Eccl 11:9-12:8/Ps 90:3-6,12-14,17/Lk 9:43-45
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
wsc reflection18 september 2016 final
