Wise

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111117.cfm) reminds us again that we should use our worldly riches to prepare us for eternal ones. 

The message for today is similar to yesterday's. Nothing lasts forever. They say that the only permanent thing in this world is change. People change. Situations change. Worldly things change. This is why we should not hold on to worldly things, and instead focus on eternal ones. We should use worldly things and riches to prepare for and invest in eternal things. 

In the gospel, we see Jesus reminding us of this. We cannot serve God and money. We cannot say we love God, but love money more. We cannot actually love God properly if our heart and focus is on accumulating money and other riches in this world. These riches will remain in this world, and should not be stored just for our usage. These should be used wisely.

Worldly things are meant to prepare us for eternal ones.

We should not hold on to anything of this world. Everything that we accumulated here on earth would be left here on earth. God wants us to be wise and use whatever temporary things we have to prepare for eternal ones in heaven. Our resources and time, all of which are temporary, should not only be used for ourselves, but to serve and benefit others as well. As we give to others, as we use our resources which are only good in this world, to benefit others, then we are wise. Then we are telling God we want to be with him. Then we are preparing and investing in eternity. 

Worldly riches are not ours. They are of the world. God just lent them to us for this world. This is why Jesus in the gospel reminds us that we should be wise and trustworthy in dealing with small wealth and wealth that is not ours. Small compared to what God has in store for us. We should not hold on to these but use it wisely to prepare for eternity. And when God sees that our heart is in the right place as we deal with worldly riches, then he will eventually give us what he wants for us. Greater blessings - eternity with him.

May we live by the quote – live simply, so that others may simply live. And be wise stewards and prepare our eternal place in heaven by the temporary riches on earth.

Father God,

Thank you for today Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another reminder to be wise with my gifts. Lord, sorry for the times I get caught up accumulating or just even thinking of worldly things. Sorry for enjoying these gifts so much. Help me be wise. Teach me and guide me in using your worldly gifts to prepare for eternity. May I be sensitive to the needs of others, and use whatever I have on earth for others. Use me and everything I have to bless others and glorify your name. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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November 11, 2017
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Lectionary: 490

Reading 1ROM 16:3-9, 16, 22-27

Brothers and sisters:
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus,
who risked their necks for my life,
to whom not only I am grateful but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
greet also the Church at their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus,
who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.
Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia,
my relatives and my fellow prisoners;
they are prominent among the Apostles
and they were in Christ before me.
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ,
and my beloved Stachys.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ greet you.

I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole Church, greets you.
Erastus, the city treasurer,
and our brother Quartus greet you.

Now to him who can strengthen you, 
according to my Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial PsalmPS 145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11

R. (1b) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Alleluia2 COR 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.

GospelLK 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."