First Reading: Amos 8:4-7
Reflection:
The prophet Amos preached to the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 8th century B.C., spreading a message of justice and compassion (the Northern Kingdom had split from the Southern Kingdom of Judah with its capitol, Jerusalem, in about 930 B.C.). This Sunday’s passage is a stinging rebuke of those who were cheating and oppressing the poor for their own gain. Amos was active during a time of great prosperity for Israel. There was relatively little threat from foreign powers and this, combined with agricultural success, resulted in a flourishing economy. Many of the leading citizens were growing gluttonous and lazy, often at the expense of the poor. They had forgotten the Mosaic covenant requirement to care for the orphaned, widowed, and crippled. They had made pacts with other kings who did not worship the one, true God. They had put their trust in other men. Their wealth soon drew the attention of other greedy people and within a generation they were destroyed and conquered by the Assyrians. Amos pointed to their greed as the root of this fate. Each new moon and each Sabbath was a religious holiday during which no business could be conducted. Amos chastised the storeowners not only for their greed but also for their religious insincerity. They pretended to observe the feasts with rituals and sacrifices at the altar, but really they were contemplating their future sales. Even on the Sabbath, which was intended to be a day to contemplate God’s awesome deeds, they plotted to cheat others in order to pad their pocket books.
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Reflection:
This Sunday’s passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the young church leader Timothy gives instructions on prayer, discusses God’s relationship with humanity through the person of Jesus, and reflects on Paul’s own ministry. St. Paul begins by urging constant prayer, a theme that resonates throughout much of his writings. In particular, he encourages Christians to offer prayers on behalf of kings and government officials. The relationship between Christians and their government in the early centuries after Jesus’ death was varied. Some civil authorities violently persecuted Christians and denied them the right to worship freely. Sometimes the Christians resisted through civil disobedience; at other times, however, Christians sought to endear themselves to the authorities in the hope they would be able to practice their new religion in peace. Paul explains God’s desire for all men to be saved, including persecutors of the Church, and shows that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ, the “one mediator between God and men.” What is implied is that we should desire and pray for the salvation of all men (even kings and authorities). St. Paul also encourages the Christians to continue his ministry by bringing the message of Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jews). This can be best accomplished through orderly worship and righteous conduct. Finally, he encourages them to pray with hands held aloft, free from ill will towards the authorities, seeking purity and justice for all.
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-13
Reflection:
The parable of the unjust steward can be difficult to understand. It seems to convey a message contrary to what we’ve heard previously in Luke’s gospel. A steward’s role was to oversee the distribution of the owner’s goods, but because this steward was either incompetent or dishonest with his master’s property, he lost his job. He first responded with panic, but then realized that he could turn the situation to his advantage. As the one responsible for holding receipts indicating amounts owed by each of his master’s customers, he still wielded some power. He instructed the debtors to rewrite their receipts for lesser amounts. His hope was that they would be indebted to him and, thus, aid him when he was unemployed. Perhaps the most surprising line in the entire passage is Jesus’ recommendation of friendship with such dishonest wealth. As shocking as it may be, Jesus’ message is that even the proper use of dishonest wealth can ensure heavenly blessings. His disciples must be so completely detached from money that the presence or absence of it is insignificant. What matters is that what is accomplished—with or without wealth—is inspired by zeal to serve God and neighbor. This can reap an eternal reward. In the final section of the passage, it is made clear that one must be detached from the wealth one uses in this world. The purpose of money is to serve God. Any other goal is idolatry.
Application:
How do you use your money? Are you attached to it and greedy with it, or are you detached from it and using it to further God’s kingdom? Reflect on how you view and use money. Are you a good steward of what God has entrusted you? Where do you need to grow in having a healthier relationship with money?
