2025-09-23 - HONESTY PAYS Author: Fr. Sylvester Emehiem
A REFLECTION ON THE 25TH SUNDAY YR C
(AMOS. 8:4-7; 1TIMOTHY. 2:1-8; LUKE. 16:1-13)
In today's first reading, we hear the voice of Prophet Amos who preached against the social ills on the land of the Nothern Kingdom of Israel under King Jereboam II and Uzzia around 760-750 B. C. Although, the city Israel enjoyed much material prosperity, at least of part of the population. Religious shrines were flourishing, but the poor were not. Their poverty was not because of laziness, but as a result of exploitation by the so called 'rich' and the 'powerful' elites. In this biblical passage, Prophet Amos describes the techniques the elites used to make themselves even richer, while scrupulously observing the Sabbath and other festivals. The message of the Prophet was a warning and a clarion call for the elites to turn back to God from their life of complacency, idolatory, oppressing the poor, superficial religion etc. On this, the Prophet opines "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24)
"They hate him who reproves in the gate and they abhor him who speaks the truth" (Amos 5:10).
In the second reading, St. Paul in his First letter to Timothy begins with an appeal for prayers for the state authorities. Changing the world through prayers although a mystery to us, but it s a reality. St. Paul's first letter to Timothy was written when a notorious cruel ruler called Emperor Nero was on sit in 54-68 A. D. There was a persecution that erupted in the Roman Empire 64, the Emperor used the Christians as scapegoats to quenched the fire, many Christians were publicly butchered, burned and fed to animals. Christian's certain privileges in the society were withdrawn from them. The appeal letter was a reminder of hope and enroragement to all, that no one is outside God's mercy or beyond the reach of His offer of salvation goal. Striving to have a right relationship with God and also with others around honestly pays. Political authorities could help spread the gospel message (Acts 16:39), Christians might be a minority but their God was for all (Acts 10:35). The world need no other saviour, rather than the One and Only Mediator-Christ, whose liberation set us all free (Col. 2:15).
In the Gospel of St. Luke 16:1-13, Jesus differentiates between the two categories of people: 'children of this world' and ' children of light'. The former includes the crafty steward who is praised by Jesus for his astuteness. This steward knows how to handle the systems of this world and remain afloat. The letter however are those who follow God's commandments in their lives and are astute in pursuing a path of holiness and perfection. This category teaches us that a radical love demands a radical response and any compromise in this regard will result in our missing the final destination. The people of this age deligently work to make their lives secure, comfortable and influential here on earth, compromising the kingdom values. However, the children of light are shrewdly committed to kingdom values and live their lives focused on God. Therefore, let us be astute in seeking God's Kingdom and its values (Mtt. 6: 33).
3 MORAL LESSONS
* a clarion call to be wise and charitable in all our dealings with God's given gifts to us. Remember that the imprints we live here today, says much about our future. Hence, leave a legacy; leave a footprints. Dorathy Ferguson opines that "Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your footprints have left in our hearts".
* living the best kind of life in accordance with the Law of God and the dictates of the gospel. The best kind of life is doing the greatest good we are capable of doing in Love for God and impacting positively in people's lives. For the good, favour or joy of one is the good and joy of all.
* do not forget the day of the great judgement; when we all shall stand before the judgment throne to give details of the account of our lives here on earth. How will that day be for you?
HAPPY SUNDAY
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