Who will trust you?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Two dogs running through dust beside a vehicle on a dirt road
Chasing wealth is not a proper relation with wealth

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Philippians 4:10-19; Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9; Luke 16:9-15

Summary

Who will trust you with true wealth? (Lk 16:11b).

Reflection

Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings (Lk 16:9). To be a friend means to be in right relation with someone or something.

Recapitulating Jesus’ directions: Establish a right relation with wealth, know its limitations and its temptations. When you do this, you will rightly know to be in right relation with God and find yourself being welcomed to heavenly places.

What is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God (Lk 16:15b).

Jesus provides the contrast: Self-justification. This self-centered rationality places us in inferior relation with wealth and God. Jesus further develops the negative contrast in The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9ff.

  1. I TAKE MY POSITION BEFORE GOD.
  2. I am not like everyone else (really now?).
  3. I am not greedy.
  4. I am not dishonest.
  5. I am not an adulterer.
  6. I am not a tax collector.
  7. I fast twice a week
  8. I pay tithes on my whole income.

Oops!

This is true wealth: But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 18:13-14).

Personal Reflection

Think of this question in a new way: Who will trust you?

The question is from the divine heart… Can I trust you?

Oh!

Don’t spin out of control with the impossibility. Chill.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:13, 19).
Enter into right relation with ordinary wealth and the eternal wealth of love.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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