Amos 8:4-7; Psalms 112(113); 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13
God versus Mammon
Dear friends, today is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings today invite us to reflect upon how we utilize the wealth of this world. God created every good thing and put it under the stewardship of human beings. Stewardship means taking care of something. God also gave us the knowledge to use His creation for our benefit. In every part of the world, there is an abundance of some things and a scarcity of some other things. If we learned how to share with our neighbours, no one would lack. However, because of greed and selfishness, a small section of the population has more than it needs, while the largest portion does not have enough to even survive.
In the first reading, the Prophet Amos rebukes the rich of the day who trample on the poor by hiking the prices of grain and stealing from them by tampering with the scales. This they did this to make it difficult for the poor to sustain themselves; hence, taking them as slaves. Today, we continue to see this in our society. There are families where some members use their kin to gain wealth; tribal kingpins who take advantage of their countrymen and countrywomen to amass wealth and power; and international financial structures and systems that ensure that poor nations never develop. Are you using anyone to gain wealth?
Prophet Amos tells them that their actions will never be forgotten. One day, everyone will have to render an account of their actions and be judged accordingly.
St. Paul, in the Second Reading, urges us to pray for everyone, especially those in authority, so that they may be just. Every society resembles its leaders. God-fearing leaders bring development and equality to society. Bad leaders prioritize their own interests and those of their supporters over the interests of the electorate. To lead means to be the first in taking responsibility, showing others the way. However, the world has commercialized positions of leadership, thus making men and women fight for them. Today, the positions are no longer given out on merit and agenda but through deal-making. Some seek the help of dark powers by entering into contracts with the Devil. Such leaders will always sacrifice the good of their electorate to sustain themselves in power. The question we asked last Sunday comes back: How did you get to the position you are in today? How did you acquire the wealth you have?
In a very rare scenario, the Gospel passage presents to us a steward who used his astuteness to rescue his situation. This steward was accused of being wasteful and was required to render accounts before exiting his position. What is being highlighted here is how, at the critical moment, the steward decided to forgo his own interests and favor the poor, probably by deducting the commission he had inflated for himself to win friendship and leverage. The emphasis here is that worldly people often show more foresight in securing temporary wealth than believers do in securing eternal life.
Jesus urges us to use the wealth of this world wisely so that it may help us attain eternal life. Wealth is not bad in itself, but how we utilize it may lead us to damnation. Wealth is the greatest test of stewardship. Many times, we forget our responsibility to God and neighbour because of the pursuit of wealth. All that is on the face of the earth belongs to the Creator, who has lent it to us for the span of our lives. How much do you spend on entertainment and even on unnecessary things, and how much do you offer for the propagation of the Kingdom of God? How do you determine how much to give when you go to worship? What is your favourite coin or note for the offertory? How much can that which you give to God buy in the market?
Dear friends, I invite us today to reflect upon how we utilize the material things at our disposal. Do we care for the underprivileged around us, or do we buy them and enslave them to become even wealthier? A true disciple must choose: either to be controlled by wealth (creation) or by God (the Creator).
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
(See also svdkentan.com)
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 