Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Intention: That all people will work together tirelessly to bring peace and safety to those whose homes are being torn by war or shattered by crime.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 16: 9-15
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 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 God and mammon.”
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
From the Meditation on Saint Martin | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
This saint had a tireless vigilance for all the needs of his church, considering himself responsible before God to provide what was needed. He knew that a bishop must do two things: beg God for the salvation of souls and carry out God’s commands in order to procure this salvation.
…Let all your time, following the example of Saint Martin, be spent in these two things: asking God insistently for the salvation of those who are under your guidance and seeking and helping them use these means.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son taught us that we must guard against replacing you with the possessions and attractions of this world. Our lives can only find their fullness in knowing you and in doing your will. Open our eyes to those false riches that can only take us away from our redemption. Help us to treasure your gifts to us and to find our joy and wholeness in using them to build your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.