Father, today's reading below is a Good reminder of how easy it is to become possessed by my possessions. Jesus spoke of mammon, which is unrighteous or ill-gained money used for corruption or as an object of worship. Jesus never said, "Money is the root of all evil," what He said was, "The Love of money is the root of all evil." He was speaking of tainted money (mammon) and how it possesses the spirit. These individual's could no sooner sell their possessions in order to help a friend in their time of need anymore than I can. It causes me to wonder, would I really sell my possessions in order to give alms (charity) to the poor or those in desperate need? Could I do it? Would I do it? It can be tough to sort through my personal possessions of the things I don't even use and still cling to anyway because of the money I paid for it, much less consciously going through my beloved things and giving them away on purpose. The things I value, others may not value the same. This is certainly a challenge that I will need to take on. After all, when You call me back to Yourself, I will not be taking anything with me and someone will have to dig through, root around and sort through all my stuff. Most of our stuff will end up going to charity anyway. Why have so much? Why hoard so much? Why weigh myself down?

Jesus also spoke of being Faithful with what I have. If I cannot be trusted with a little bit, how could I bit trusted with more? And if I cannot be trusted with things that are others, how would be trusted with my own? These are very deep questions to ponder as we move into the gift giving season. It makes me realize that every day is gift giving day. Jesus challenges us all in this parable and basically asks us, "Who or what do we serve?" Father, I choose You. I serve You and my actions and reactions will show it better from here on out. Thank You for this wonderful awareness today that will keep me on the straight and narrow path back to You.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Luke 16:9-15

9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.

10 "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and Love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at Him.

15 But He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

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