The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110516.cfm)
reminds me that we should use our worldly riches to prepare 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-
November 5, 2016
Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 490
Reading 1 Phil 4:10-19
Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord
that now at last you revived your concern for me.
You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.
Not that I say this because of need,
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,
to be self-sufficient.
I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was at Thessalonica
you sent me something for my needs,
not only once but more than once.
It is not that I am eager for the gift;
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.
I have received full payment and I abound.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia 2 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.
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;
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 16:9-15
“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.”
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