Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year: C: September 21, 2025

     YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS!

Introduction: Today, Jesus gives us three separate statements about money and material things. In the first statement Jesus says: "Use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity." On the one hand, Jesus warns us about the temporary nature of wealth; on the other hand, Jesus is suggesting how to use our wealth wisely. In the second statement Jesus says: "The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great." While earthly things have their own intrinsic value, they are not as great as eternal life. Yet, the use of those little things of this world will eventually determine our rewards in heaven. In His third statement Jesus says: "You cannot serve God and wealth." We cannot be totally committed to the cause of God if we are excessively concerned about making money. 

First Reading: Amos 8: 4 to 7

Second Reading: 1Timothy 2: 1 to 8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16: 1 to 13

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. Amos was a great champion of social justice during his time. He severely criticizes the exploitative structures of the society of that time. He 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 and nefarious 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 of the Gospel, Jesus narrates the parable of the dishonest manager. 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, making use of his master's wealth, which is temporary. Jesus urges us and warns us to be more enterprising in using worldly things for gaining eternal life. In the second part of today's Gospel, 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 back seat in our lives and slowly and surely God is soon forgotten. We cannot be faithful and devoted to two masters. So also with God and Mammon (in Aramaic Mammon means riches/treasure). Hence, Jesus' message for us is that the only way we can be trusted with possession or wealth is if they do not 'possess' us. In this context L.P. Smith says: "Those who set out to serve both God and Mammon soon discover that there is no God." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "God  does not create poverty. We do because we do not share what we have." 

Conclusion: In today's parable of the dishonest servant, we have a strange character whom Jesus holds up as a model for us! In simple language, he is a scoundrel. Yet, Jesus says we could learn something from him. Here is a man totally dedicated to achieving a smart way of life based on money and what it could buy. In the society today, we meet many such persons. How money talks! How many doors open to it? In reality it is the only god worshipped by many. To some extent, we are all bitten by this bug. Jesus invites us to show the commitment and hard work in pursuit of goodness, compassion and love for the neighbour especially the lost and the least. 

May the Lord Jesus, who warns us about the dangers of worldly possessions, bless you and give you the strength to trust in God more than anything that the world offers. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, September 21, 2025." Thanks.)