Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year: C: September 18, 2022

                              DO NOT TO SERVE TWO MASTERS 

First Reading: Amos 8: 4-7

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16: 1-13

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. Amos was a great champion of social justice during his lifetime. He severely criticizes the exploitative structures of the society and announces the Lord God's wrath on those who oppress and persecute the poor. He strongly condemns and deprecates the so-called 'religious' people waiting impatiently for the Sabbath to end so that they can get on with their dishonest activities. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul urges Timothy to lead his community in offering prayers, intercession, adoration and thanksgiving to God especially for those who hold public office. Because God wants everyone to be saved. 

Faithfulness in little = Faithfulness in much                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the first part, the parable of the dishonest manager is narrated. When the manager  is about to be dismissed from his job by his master, he cleverly makes friendship with his master's debtors by reducing their debt which they owe to the master. Deals are made and his future is secured. Jesus does not commend the dishonesty of the man but praises him for his resourcefulness and cleverness to deal with a crisis situation using his master's wealth. If that is the case with earthly wealth which is transitory, Jesus warns us to be more enterprising in using worldly things for gaining eternal life. In the second part, Jesus warns us that no one can serve two masters - God and Mammon. These two do not go together. If we are too much attached to worldly possessions, God takes a backseat and gradually God is forgotten. We cannot be faithful and devoted to two masters. So also with God and Mammon (in Aramaic Mammon means riches/ treasure). Hence the message is that the only way we can be trusted with possession or wealth is if they do not possess us. 

"Those who set out to serve both God and Mammon soon discover that there is no God." - L.P. Smith

"God does not create poverty. We do because we do not share what we have." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta