TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Amos 8:4-7; I Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13)
In the Gospels of the last three Sundays, Jesus has
presented us with a spirituality of Christian discipleship. He has taught us
how to live our faith led by the Holy Spirit. Three weeks ago, he told us not
to take the first seats, but to act humbly. Two weeks ago, he demanded that we
love him more than our loved ones and even more than ourselves. And last
Sunday, with three exquisite parables, he warned us not to be stingy with our
love, but to rejoice when a lost soul is found. The teachings on discipleship
continue today. Jesus shares the wisdom to avoid a tendency that causes many to
fall and to practice discipleship every day.
In 1896, gold was discovered in the Yukon, a part of
northern Canada that borders Alaska. Within months a hundred thousand people
were arriving there to strike it rich. The vast majority of these people did
not find gold, and many died in the effort. Wealth has an unbalancing effect on
men and women. In the parable of the unjust steward Jesus advises us not to let
money control us. Rather, we should take advantage of money to reach the
Kingdom of God by helping the poor with it. A sage once expressed this teaching
in this way: "The only thing we take with us when we die is what we have
given away."
Jesus also advises today that his disciples be diligent in
little things. As Saint Mother Teresa used to say: “Not all of us can do great
things. But we can do small things with great love.” We are probably not going
to welcome Pope Francis today, but we can welcome a person who seems lonely and
uncomfortable. We're probably not going to visit the White House today, but we
can visit a nursing home. We probably won't be taking supplies to the refugees
from Ukraine this weekend, but we can lend a hand in the parish food pantry. We
probably won't be teaching in college classrooms, but we can review our children’s
homework.
Jesus does not say that discipleship is regularly easy or
fun. Rather he has warned those interested that to follow him, one has to deny
oneself and carry one's cross daily. So perhaps we want to ask why we do it.
Each person has her own particular answer. To some it is no more than what
their parents did. But we can mention some reasons that move most of Jesus’
faithful followers. First, the teachings of Jesus show us the right path to
navigate through the pitfalls of life. So, by following Jesus our consciences will
be freed from guilt. Second, following Jesus puts us in the company of good and
trustworthy people. It is not that there are no scoundrels in the Church, but
the majority of the faithful struggle alongside us to live justly. Finally and
most importantly, following Jesus gives us the hope of full and perpetual
happiness. Passing through the cross to death, Jesus rose from the dead.
Carrying our cross and dying to ourselves, we hope to obtain the same end.
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