By David Peter csc –
Readings: Phil 4: 10-19; Lk 16: 9-15
The first reading comes as an example for our life with two important messages firstly, to share the gifts we have received with those who are in need, and secondly, to acknowledge the gifts we have received from others. In our daily lives, we encounter two types of people- one kind who always love to share with others even from the minimum they have, and the other kind who desire to receive the maximum from others even in their plenty.
In the first reading, St. Paul reveals that our Christian life is to be of both giving and receiving. When we share with others who are in need without any expectations, God will bless us with all that we need. We see in the Old Testament the widow who shared bread with Elijah, and in return God blessed her with abundance. At the feeding of five thousand, a boy shared the little he had but the Lord blessed it and multiplied it. It is important for all of us to learn to live our life in all circumstances as St. Paul insists in the first reading.
The gospel of the day speaks of the virtue of being faithful. Given our human limitations, being faithful is not easy to practice. Every person is being judged for his/her faithfulness. We all have the freedom to be faithful or not. The more we live in faithfulness, the more we inspire others to live in faithfulness. When we fail, we too influence the others not to be faithful. Our faithfulness is exercised in daily life by having personal conviction to take care of everything, even if it is not personal to us.
How can I practice faithfulness in my everyday life? As a staff in office or an institution, we can do our work with interest for the common good. As a student, we can remain faithful to our studies; as children, we can be faithful to our parents and elders; as couples we have to live in faithfulness to each other. As religious and leaders of the Church, we have to be faithful to the vows and the commitment we profess. The more we live in faithfulness the more we are blessed by God, for God sees our heart.