Readings
I - Rom. 16: 3-9, 16, 22-27
II - Lk. 16: 9-15
GOD OR WEALTH - THE CHOICE IS YOURS
The Pharisees were rich, elite and learned. They distinguished themselves by strict observance of the law and traditions and appeared to be highly religious and Godly people while in reality they were not. Their focus was on power, position, name, fame, popularity and riches that deviated their attention from God and his precepts. They were highly hypocrites with self-righteous and fault finding attitude. This is why Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Lk. 16: 13). Jesus invited them to fix focus on any one thing contradicting their double standard living.
One can never stand up for two things at a time. Either ‘this’ or ‘that’ and never ‘this and that’. All that is fake and duplicate has the capacity to allure and alienate one from God that is real, absolute and the ultimate. No one ever who has fixed focus on the riches of the world have got contented or satisfied with the same. In the process of gaining riches, wealth, power, honour, popularity and status, they get alienated from God, people and from their very own family members. On the other hand, the one who chooses God chooses to be with His suffering humanity enduring all suffering on this account still filled with serenity, peace, joy, hope and peace. Wealth of this world would not follow us after our life here on this earth while choosing God would follow us to reward with the joy of being with the Lord in the Paradise forever. The choice is ours.
Today being the first Saturday of the month, we fondly remember our Blessed Mother who positioned her life centering on God. May she be our model and guide in choosing God again and again in our little choices of life. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mother Mary, teach us to fix our focus on God”.
