DAILY- HOMILY

September 22, 2019 - 25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Green.

Am 8: 4 – 7 / 1 Tim 2: 1 – 8 / Lk 16: 1 – 13

FROM THE 1ST READING: Am 8: 4, 5b – 7
Hear this, you who trample on the needy to do away with the weak of the land Let us lower the measure and raise the price; let us cheat and
tamper with the scales, and even sell the refuse with the whole wheat. We will buy up the poor for money and the needy for a pair of sandals..

Yahweh, the pride of Jacob, has sworn by himself, "I shall never forget their deeds."

From the 2nd Reading: 1 Tim 2: 1 – 4
First of all I urge that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for rulers of states and all in authority, that we may enjoy a quiet and peaceful life in godliness and respect. This is good and pleases God. For he wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING: Lk 16: 1 – 10, 13
At another time Jesus told his disciples, "There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service. He summoned the steward and asked him: 'What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated..'

The steward thought to himself: 'What am I to do now? My master will surely dismiss me. I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.'

"So he called his master's debtors one by one. He asked the first who came: 'How much do you owe my master?' The reply was: 'A  hundred jars  of oil.' The steward said: 'Here is your bill. Sit down quickly and write there fifty.' To the second he put the same question: 'How much do you owe?' The answer was: 'A thousand bushels of wheat." Then he said: 'Take your bill and write eight hundred.'

"The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light. And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends
for yourselves, so that when it fails, these men may welcome you into the eternal homes.

"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones.
. .
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money."

REFLECTION
In the first reading we hear about Yahweh's punishment for those who cheat the poor. In the second reading Paul urges us to pray for everyone.

The Gospel reading today can teach us three key lessons about life.
.
First, "the master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light." The dishonest steward prepared for his future security, knowing he would be fired by the master for his dishonesty. He made friends with debtors of his master whose debts he greatly reduced so that they "owed" him and he could later call on them for help and support,    as may be needed.

Secondly, "whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones." This is the lesson of the parables of the talents (Mt 25: 14 – 30; Lk 19: 12 -27; Mk 4: 25). We must use our gifts well and be truly productive.

Thirdly, "no servant can serve two masters. . .You cannot give yourself both to God and Money." The service of God demands our all: "If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments."  (Mt 19: 17b)

FINALLY, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.


Have a good day!

**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:
  +================================================+
   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  
  +================================================+