FIRST READING
Philippians 4:10-19
Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity. Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA
2 Corinthians 8:9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 16:9-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
REFLECTIONS:
What does "tainted money" (or "unrighteous mammon")
have to do with heavenly treasure and eternal life? Jesus exhorts his disciples
to be like the shrewd steward who used money generously to make friends
and win for himself a secure and happy future (see the parable
of the dishonest steward in Luke 16:1-9). Generous giving is connected
with almsgiving giving financial assistance to those in need (sell
your possessions and give alms -Luke 12:33). Those who receive alms
become your friends because you are merciful to them in their time of need,
just as God is merciful to you in your need for his forgiveness and help.
What is the enemy of generosity? It's greed, the excessive desire for personal
gain and security. True generosity does not impoverish the giver, but enriches
that person a hundredfold! Generosity expands the soul; greed contracts
it. God is generous and superabundant in lavishing his gifts upon us. We
can never outgive God in what he has already given to us. Do you know the
joy and freedom of generosity and liberality in giving to others what God
has so richly given to you?
Jesus concludes his parable with a lesson on what controls or rules
our lives. Who is the master (or ruler) in charge of your life?
Our "master" is that which governs our thought-life, shapes our ideals,
controls the desires of the heart and the values we choose to live by.
We can be ruled by many different things the love of money or possessions,
the power of position, the glamor of wealth and prestige, the driving force
of unruly passions and addictions. Ultimately the choice boils down to
two: God and "mammon". What is mammon? "Mammon" stands for "material wealth
or possessions" or whatever tends to "control our appetites and desires".
There is one Master alone who has the power to set us free from the slavery
of sin and addiction. That Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.
God loves generosity and he gives generously and liberally to those
who share his gifts with others. The Pharisees, however, had no room in
their hearts for God. The gospel says they were lovers of money.
Love of money and wealth crowd out love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus
makes clear that our heart must either be possessed by God's love or our
heart will be possessed by the love of something else. What does your heart
most treasure?
"Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love burn in my heart that I may be
wholly devoted to you above all else. Free me from greed and attachment
to material things that I may be generous in using the gifts and resources
you give me for your glory and for the good of my neighbor."
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