Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intention: For a spirit of conversion within all people, that we will open our hearts to the ways of God and the needs of his people, especially those who suffer the injuries of the world’s injustice.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 16:10-13
Jesus said to his disciples: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.”
From the Tenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
It is easy to conclude from these examples that your zeal for the children who are under your guidance would be very imperfect if you exercised it only by instructing them. It will only become perfect if you practice what you are teaching them. Example makes a much greater impression on the mind and the heart than words, especially for children, for they do not yet have a mind sufficiently able to reflect, and they ordinarily model themselves on the example of their teachers. They are led more readily to do what they see done for them than what they hear told to them, above all when the teachers’ words are not in harmony with the teachers’ actions.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son taught us that we not let our daily lives be corrupted by greed. As we strive to make a living to care for ourselves and our loved ones, we must be honest and generous in how we do this. Help us to be people of integrity who never place our material earnings in a higher place than you or one another. May we be humble in what we have and servants of those who are in need. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.