25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
My husband and I are gifting our children and grandchildren with a trip to Italy for Christmas. We were talking the other day when my husband said something profound. I have worried about the cost, whether we will get along together for fourteen days, and so much more! The trip for him is in gratitude and thanksgiving for all the blessings given to him by God. After reflection, I have decided to think of the trip as he does. We are blessed in so many ways, and an attitude of gratitude speaks directly to our relationship with God the Father and Jesus.
In the first reading, Amos speaks of those who have no relationship with God. Their greed and their treatment of the most vulnerable separate them from the love of God. Amos reminds us: Never will I forget a thing they have done!
In the second reading, Saint Paul exhorts us to offer supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving to everyone. Paul proclaims that there is one God and only one mediator between us and God, which is Jesus Christ.
The gospel reading presents Jesus’ parable of the dishonest steward. Theologians continue to struggle with the meaning of these verses, but two things are clear. Jesus tells the parable not to encourage dishonesty but rather to highlight the shrewdness of the steward. As stewards, we should be shrewd in pursuing holiness. Attachment to wealth, power, and mistreatment of others separates us from God. Nothing is ours, and it should never be how much we accumulate, but rather what kind of stewards are we? Do we give fully of our time, talent, and treasure in building the Kingdom of God?
May the Eucharist we receive empower us to live in gratitude for all the blessings given to us by God.
Let us Pray:
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Alleluia, Alleluia. (Gospel Acclamation)
