September 22: Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time -The parable of the Unjust Steward

 
First Reading Amos 8:4-7Unfair business practices and injustice to the poor will be judged by God.
 
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 113: 1-2,4-6,7-8Praise be to God, who raises up the poor.
 
Second Reading1 Timothy 2:1-8 : Paul tells Timothy that prayer for those in authority is pleasing to God because God wills the salvation of all.
 
Gospel Reading Luke 16:1-13 (shorter form, Luke 16:10-13)
 
 
In today’s Gospel, Jesus relates the parable of the Unjust Steward. It’s a very tricky parable. The steward was a rogue, who dishonestly reduced the quantum of debts of his master’s tenants, but the master praised his cleverness. The master praised not his dishonesty, but his foresight, prudence and astuteness. We can learn a lot of lessons for our spiritual life from the way men behave and organize their worldly affairs. We should not adopt their goals, but we can profitably use their methods for our spiritual well being. We should hate their ends, but we must love to adopt their methods. The children of this world may be wise but their wisdom pertains only to this passing world. Though this worldly wealth is not to be trusted for our happiness, it could be used as subservient to our pursuit of our happiness in the other world. Now is the only time we have got to make good use of our gifts, talents and possession to gain heaven.

September 11 – Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Joyful Finding

 
First Reading Exodus 32:7-11,13-14Moses stands up to God, recalling all of God's great promises.
 
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,17,19Once we are forgiven, we can hope for a new heart and a fresh start.
 
Second Reading 1 Timothy 1:12-17Paul proves it's never too late to repent and serve God.
 
Gospel ReadingLuke 15:1-32
 
The words of the father in the story, to the sulking elder brother, are filled with the pathos of Jesus’ appeal: ‘My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours’. The‘best robe’, the ‘ring’, the ‘sandals’ and the ‘feast’, all marks of special regard, point to a mercy and generosity that have no limits. We are left to imagine the aftermath. Surely, the son’s life is transformed, as he comes, at last, to share in the love in the heart of his father. The future the Saviour promises to the world, in fact, will be a sharing in the love of his Father (cf. John 14:25 etc). The merciful, loving heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the merciful, loving heart of God our heavenly Father. His mercy tirelessly seeks out each sinner and should the sinner respond there is delirious happiness and rejoicing in the whole court of heaven. To every sinner in the state of mortal sin I say as simply as I can, ‘Your sin is not the big deal you think it is; the big deal is your return to the merciful love of God. Trust in his mercy, not in your sin. And if you continue to sin, continue to trust and to return to his mercy.

September 8 - Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time : Hating our own life

 
 
First Reading Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29 Humble yourself and you will find favor with God
 
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 68:4-7,10-11 The just rejoice and exult before God.
 
Second Reading Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24 You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
 
Gospel ReadingLuke 14:1,7-14
 
We have yet to comment on the phrase “hating our own life”. This is just an extension of the earlier part. Jesus wants our lives to be lived in total truth and love. Our lives are not to be determined and manipulated by attachments, desires, ambitions or fears and anxieties which can become very much part of ourselves. We are to live in total freedom. “None of you can be my disciples unless he gives up all his possessions.” It is the ability to let go, even of health and life itself. Any aspect of a person or anything that lessens that freedom to follow truth and love is to be “hated” and transcended. Today's teachings are addressed to people who have not yet made the option for discipleship but are considering it. It reminds Luke's Christian readers of the choice they have already undertaken.