Today the Gospel story from Luke is about the steward who mismanaged his boss’ money. The steward’s day of reckoning was coming fast because his boss heard about his squandering ways. In desperation, he concocts an escape strategy. By decreasing the debt of people who owed money to his boss, he found favor with them and a reassurance of their gratitude if he is fired and thrown out into the street.
Jesus is hardly holding up the dishonest steward as an example of the right use of wealth! But he is making a point to his contemporaries that the Day of the Lord is coming, when the kingdom of God will be established. The time to get ready was yesterday. The disciples were fully aware of the dishonest, if clever, business practices of those who handled money and wealth. If those shrewd money managers could craft for themselves self-serving business practices that ensured their financial future, how much more clever should a disciple be in getting ready for the Day of the Lord and the coming of the kingdom!
The First Reading from Amos is a powerful example of how an Old Testament prophet minced no words when it came to preaching God’s justice against those who would take advantage of the poor. To those wealthy who even fix religious festivals to their favor – overcharging their grain and even fixing their scales for cheating! – the prophet Amos declares:
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! . . . The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!
And in the Second Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to Timothy, the apostle suggests how important it is to pray for “kings and for all in authority.” Even if government is not overtly religious, their maintenance of peace and tranquility allows believers to practice their faith.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
So the readings today have some bearing on Christian responsibility in relation to social justice, politics and wealth. The readings are not advocating a state religion but are making a case for Christians to be the conscience of society, to be a voice for those who have no voice, to be hope for the hopeless – to feed those who hunger, and to ensure just policies that will not trample upon the rights of the poor. For those who believe and even those who don’t believe, the Day of the Lord is coming!
Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and mammon (that is, money).” What can we do as Christians to put mammon in service of God? How can we help make the Kingdom of God a reality in the world today?
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Entrance Antiphon I Am the Salvation of the People (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #172
Today’s Entrance Antiphon is an example of a rare text that is not even from Scripture: “I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord forever.” God is with us as we ponder how to live in this world.
Entrance Chant May Your Kingdom Come (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Song #328
The day is coming when God’s kingdom of justice will be established for all people.
Responsorial Psalm Praise the Lord Who Lifts Up the Poor (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 318
Tom’s verbatim setting of Psalm 113 is striking in its simplicity. It is an apt response to First Reading from the prophet Amos.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 320
Once again, the proper texts of the liturgy help us to focus on the teaching of Jesus from today’s Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts We Ever Will Praise You (Angus McDonell)
Spirit & Song #363; Never Too Young #111
Angus McDonell based his text on Psalm 146 which calls us to be mindful of the lowly and forgotten, even as we offer praise to God.
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion Antiphon You Have Laid Down Your Precepts [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #173
Antiphon Option 1 from Psalm 119 is a reflection on the importance following the precepts of the Lord, whose wisdom guides our path in life.
Communion Chant The Cry of the Poor (John Foley, SJ)
Spirit & Song #340; Never Too Young #278; Breaking Bread #625
This classic song by Fr. John Foley is a challenge to every generation: God stands with the poor.
Sending Forth We Will Follow (Dan Brennan, Ken Canedo and Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Song #239; Never Too Young #272
This upbeat song of social justice calls us to take what we have received in this Eucharist and share it with the world.
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