We all need money to survive in this world and in itself money is neither good nor evil. It is how we attain it, how we use it and to our end that we may be judged.
A long time ago I made a decision that I would work hard to make a living to provide enough for my family. But will not chase after riches, fame or fortune! Not for lack of ambition but rather I desired to serve the Lord in whatever time I had to do so. He gave me many opportunites to bring His peace, love and joy into the homes and hearts of His flock over the years. Whether it was giving formation talks, home bound communion or home visit programs. I received freely from Him and so gave freely. The fraternal bonds that grew through ministering in His love are the most precious to me. I remember fondly on one occasion as I finished the last session of a Holy Communion program, the group gifted me with a messenger bag. They had noticed the one I had been carrying was a little worn out. I was deeply touched by their love and kindness. In another a family I was received as a son to a mother and a little later God-Father to her daughter. Many of us share a deep heartfelt appreciation of what it means to live as sisters and brothers, God our Father’s children through Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Truly it is Jesus our Lord who gathers us all and makes us One in Him!
As I look back to see the glory of God in my life, I move forward to glorify Him with renewed vigour for truly there is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength! Amen Alleluia!
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First reading
Philippians 4:10-19 ·
With the help of the One who gives me strength, there is nothing I cannot master
It is a great joy to me, in the Lord, that at last you have shown some concern for me again; though of course you were concerned before, and only lacked an opportunity. I am not talking about shortage of money: I have learnt to manage on whatever I have, I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good of you to share with me in my hardships. In the early days of the Good News, as you people of Philippi well know, when I left Macedonia, no other church helped me with gifts of money. You were the only ones; and twice since my stay in Thessalonika you have sent me what I needed. It is not your gift that I value; what is valuable to me is the interest that is mounting up in your account. Now for the time being I have everything that I need and more: I am fully provided now that I have received from Epaphroditus the offering that you sent, a sweet fragrance – the sacrifice that God accepts and finds pleasing. In return my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as only God can.
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Gospel
Luke 16:9-15
Use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and laughed at him. He said to them, ‘You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as virtuous in people’s sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is thought highly of by men is loathsome in the sight of God.’
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