Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intention: For a spirit of conversion that opens our hearts to the ways of God and the needs of his people, especially those who suffer the pain of destitution, alienation, or oppression.
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 Twelfth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
The result of a wise correction is that those receiving it are disposed to correct their faults, whereas when correction is administered through passion and without God in view, it serves only to turn the disciple against his teacher and to arouse in him feelings of revenge and ill will, which sometimes last a long time, because results are generally related and similar to the cause that produces them.
If, then, you want your corrections to have the results they ought to have, administer them in a way that can please God and those who receive them. Take care, above all, that it be charity and zeal for the salvation of the souls of your students that lead you to correct them. Show them so much kindness when you give corrections that although you might cause them pain, they will not be angry at you but will show you gratitude for the good you have done for them, great regret for their faults, and a firm intention not to commit them again. From this very moment, be disposed to use the means needed to carry out this resolution.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son taught that we must 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.