The idea that those who can be trusted with little will also be trusted with much can be misread as a guarantee God will r(eward His followers with material wealth. This is always a perversion of the Gospel. The readings today remind us that wealth is found in peaceful communion with our neighbours and with God, and that the misuse of material wealth will also deprive us of the ability to appreciate spiritual riches. If we pursue the things of God first and always, we will find ourselves at peace now and into eternity, as a gift of God. This will also help us to manage material goods faithfully. If we are struggling with finances, feeling guilty about not being good stewards, or otherwise struggling with money or materialism, now is a great time to seek out the help we need to manage better. God wants for us to be at peace, not drowning. There is no shame and lots to be gained from finding a way to seek God in managing well material and financial wealth (or lack of it).
Prayer: For growth in pursuing God and being faithful stewards, we pray to the Lord.
God of life, you have offered us all things to be gifts for your glory. Help us to pursue you above all things, and then to use your resources faithfully. May we be good stewards of your gifts, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: CCCB
#CatholicYYC #SundayMass
(taken from the Facebook page of Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary)
In the first reading, Moses begs God for mercy for a broken and sinful people. In the Gospel, we hear about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. It is easy for us to have mercy on the prodigals who have decided to return, and much harder to follow Moses in putting ourselves out there for those who are still lost. How are we interacting with the lost in our world: the homeless, the addicted, the angry, those suffering from mental illness, the unrepentant? While
Satisfy us in the morning with your stead fast love,
“Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God;
Psalm 117
