25th Sunday in Ordinary Time(Cycle C, YearI)

Community Word:True disciples possess the heart and character of Christ.

Theme:We possess the heart and character of Christ when we are trustworthy stewards of God’s resources.

Promise:“He raises up the lowly from the dust…to seat them with princes…”(Ps 113:7)

Reflection:
In this age when people seem stuck in their desire to make out a living and provide a comfortable life for their family, there is a tendency to push God aside. Worship of God has not only become mechanical but it has been turned into an obligation that people need to go through and that’s it. And there are those who think they can buy their way to salvation by picking up the tab whenever the church needs a new roof or a new coat of paint. They are the ones who will rise to the occasion whenever the church or community will be in need of funds for a certain project or program. And of course there are also those whose giving is motivated by their desire to control or manipulate their parish, community or ministry for that matter.

Money can be used for selfish purposes or it can be used to make life easier for others. As God has been merciful to us during the times when we are in need, so we too are being asked to follow the shrewd steward who used his position to make friends whom he expect will help him at some future time.Generous giving is related to alms-giving and those to whom we give become our friends and they will ultimately see Christ through us. In time, our generosity will lead us to eternity as St. Ambrose commented.

The opposite of generosity is greed or the excessive desire for wealth and power. And greed doesn’t only refer to the accumulation of material possessions but also to the insatiable desire for power and position. Generosity nurtures the soul while greed blocks the flow of grace in a person.

The parable teaches us the need to manage the resources that God has entrusted to us. Once again, we are faced with the reality that we have been put in charge of things that are not ours. While these resources have their present-day use and after-life benefit, still we cannot take these resources with us when we finally meet our Maker. In other words, we are merely stewards and our place in heaven will largely depend on how wise we manage these resources that were lent to us. These resources include our talent, skills, positions, the gift and fruits of the Holy Spirit and as we go through life we need to constantly account for our actions and be an exemplar for honesty and integrity even on small matters.

Jesus demands that we choose between God and mammon because we cannot dwell in God and immerse ourselves in the cares of this world. And there shouldn’t be any doubt or vacillation in the way we make our choice. To take the side of God assures us of our eternal inheritance in heaven. To remain in the world would lead us to the fiery furnace where there will be gnashing and grinding of teeth. God’s promise to us this week says: “He raises up the lowly from the dust…to seat them with princes…”(Ps 113:7).

There is only one Master and that is God the Father who created us, Jesus Christ who redeemed us and freed us from slavery to sinful desires and, the Holy Spirit who sanctifies the work of our hands.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. How trustworthy are we as good stewards of God’s provisions and resources? Do we use them for the greater glory of God?

2. Make an assessment of your spiritual journey and see if you are becoming less loving of the ways of the world.

Prayer:
Lord, we don’t want to be separated from you like the rich man in the parable. Take us away from our comfort zones and allow us to reach out to our less privileged brothers and sisters to share our lives with them. Stir our hearts and awaken in each of us the desire to serve You through others in the various outreach activities of our community. Thank you for all the opportunities to be one with the poor and make them feel Your love through us. Amen.

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
September 22, 2019 (Sun) – Am 8:4-7/Ps 113:1, 2, 4-8/1Tim 2:1-8/Lk 16:1-13
September 23, 2019 (Mon) – Ezr 1:1-6/Ps 126:1-9/Lk 8:16-18
September 24, 2019 (Tue) – Ezr 6:7-8, 12, 14-20/Ps 122:1-5/Lk 8:19-21
September 25, 2019 (Wed) – Ezr 9:5-9/Tb 13:3-4, 7-8/Lk 9:1-6
September 26, 2019 (Thu) – Hg 1:1-8/Ps 149:1-6, 9/Lk 9:7-9
September 27, 2019 (Fri) – Hg 2:1-9/Ps 43:1-4/Lk 9:18-22
September 28, 2019 (Sat) – Zec 2:5-9, 14-15/ Jer 31:10-13/Lk 9:43-45

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”