A Reflection for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C).
Amos 8:4-7 – 1Timothy 2:1-8 – Luke 16:1-13.
We have just listened to the story of the astute servant. He was referred to by Jesus as being ‘astute’, because he (the servant) knew so well how to deal with situations. He understood how to make his personal life better. He understood the importance of adapting and changing his personal lifestyle in order to survive both his current situation and also those events yet to come in his life – and he did something! He took action. He stopped focusing on enriching himself and started making concessions to others. Remember, in the context of that story of Jesus, it is for this specific quality of astuteness with regard to dealing with the reality of his situation that the master praised the dishonest servant. This is the central focus of God’s word today: having that astuteness which will help us in our present era, so that we ourselves can adapt to the realities, troubles and trials that we face in this our present time. Why? In order to preserve our future, since we shall all have to give a personal account of our stewardship to God. We need astuteness to survive the spiritual battle that rages every day for our souls, which for us is mentally and physically encountered in the challenges we face on a daily basis.
From the First and Second readings we understand that such astuteness is expressed (a) through an option for the poor and (b) through praying for those in government. In the First reading, God expressed his unhappiness over how some people manipulate everything towards exploitation of the poor, the needy and the vulnerable for their personal, selfish gain; and who, furthermore, derive satisfaction in doing so. Such people are motivated by greed, and they have no compassion for the poor. God declared that He would not forget what they had done. What God expects of us is that the poor and the weak should be treated fairly. This is a call that is not meant just for you and for me, but for society at large and for the government.
In the Second reading, St Paul asks us to offer up prayers for one another, and especially for those in government – especially for those who make decisions about our lives – so that they may be true to the call to be of service to everyone rather than to themselves alone. We pray for them so that they may receive wisdom not only to make the best decisions, but also be able to make amends when and where they have made bad decisions on behalf of the people and the earth our God-given heritage. It is in this regard that we offer today’s Holy Mass for the new monarch King Charles III; that his reign will be one filled with option for the poor, care for our environment and peace and justice in the world. Pope Francis declared that, “We have observed that, in society and the world in which we live, selfishness has increased more than love for others, and that men of good will must work, each with his own strengths and expertise, to ensure that love for others increases until it is equal and possibly exceeds love for oneself.”
There is this challenge facing us as Christians. Jesus said in today’s gospel that the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their kind than are the children of light (G v,8). It is a way of telling us that when we are dealing with things about our relationship with Him and with things that affect our souls, we are sometimes slow or late in taking action. Jesus calls us today to open our eyes wide so that we can see how to utilise whatever resources we have in order to save our own souls and those of others, and to cultivate eternal friendship with the saints and angels. It is a call to us to make efforts every day to opt for the poor and the weak, for the good of the planet, for justice and peace in the world, so that where greed and selfishness have destroyed our inner beauty and the world’s beauty, the astuteness of generosity and selflessness will prevail.
I think that the whole world needs people who do opt to look out for all these to step up, to participate in government, and to be active in the community of nations. You and I too are needed to become conformed to Christ in these ways and to be active within our community, standing up for the poor, the needy and the vulnerable, and caring about the protection of the environment and the planet. Amen. God bless you.