First Reading: Philippians 4:10-19
Now I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly, that now at last your concern for me has flourished again, as you did think, but you were busy.
I do not say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound - everywhere and in all things I have learned - both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.
Nevertheless you have done well in sharing my tribulation. And you also know, O Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only, for even in Thessalonica you sent once and again for my needs.
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. But I have all and abound, I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things you sent, a sweet fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And may my God supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.
Alleluia: Second Corinthians 8:9
Gospel: Luke 16:9-15
And I say to you: Make friends for yourselves with the mammon of iniquity, that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in what is greater, and he who is unjust in what is little is unjust also in what is greater. If then you have not been faithful in the dishonest wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Now the Pharisees who were greedy heard all these things and they mocked Him. And He said to them: You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts, for what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination before God.
Reflection
Jesus talks about money today because money can become a master. It is not just about what you have, but what has you. He says - be faithful in the small things. If you are not honest with small money, who will trust you with true riches?
Paul shows us how to be free. I have learned to be content - whether I have little or much, hungry or full, abounding or in need. How? I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. And he thanks the Philippians, not because he needed their gift, but because their generosity is a sweet sacrifice pleasing to God.
You cannot serve two masters. The Pharisees who loved money laughed at Jesus. But God knows our hearts. Today use what is in your hand - small as it may be - with honesty and mercy. Give to the poor. That is how you show you belong to God, not to mammon.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you became poor so that by your poverty I might become rich. Free my heart from loving money and from trying to impress others. Teach me to be content in you and to be faithful in small things. Make me merciful, generous to the poor, and honest in my words. You know my heart - let my life show that you alone are my treasure. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
