💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 5 💖

First Reading - Philippians 4:10-19

Gospel - Luke 16:9-15

When the students are asked a question; "What do want to become in life?" They give different answers; some want to be engineers, doctors, architect, and scientists etc. If we ask them further, why? Some would answer - to earn a lot of money and to have a comfortable life. Well, this pursuit of wealth is not bad but the readings of today invite us to examine the possible dangers that can arise from our blind pursuit to it in our spiritual life.

The first reading is a passage of acknowledgement of gratitude by Paul. Paul recalls his hardships and difficulties he faced in the initial days of his ministry. He acknowledges that it was the Christians in Philippe who assisted and financed him during his hard days. The acknowledgement of Paul's gratitude to them leaves a beautiful lesson of generosity on the part of the people and their interest to help Paul. Paul openly appreciates their generous heart and also shows his great faith in God that he has learned from his experiences of his life; to trust in God and His power. Therefore, he professes that he has learned to be content with everything with the help of God who strengthens him. In short, the passage teaches us that generosity leads to greater faith in God whereas possession or accumulation detracts us from trusting in God.

The gospel of today deals with the danger of wealth or mammon in contrast to the service to God. Jesus warns us today of the danger of becoming slave to wealth or things. He counsels to use wealth but avoid the danger of becoming slave to it. Jesus further suggests that we should be careful of the possible dangers arising from the preoccupation of wealth, such as; materialism, hedonism and utilitarianism etc. 

Dear friends, the term wealth or mammon, as used in the gospel passage, can have many meanings, such as; money, gifts, talents, and fortune etc. It is required for our upward mobility. However, in our pursuit of wealth, as warned by the gospel, we should not be controlled or conditioned by it. Wealth should become means for us and not master. Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that a person who is only concerned or controlled by wealth can't serve God, for ''no one can serve two masters.'' We can be either faithful to God or wealth (things of the world). Our preoccupation for wealth or mammon can lead us astray from the concerns of God. Jesus invites us today to use wealth for winning friends and always be cautious of their faithful use (warning against greed). In this manner, we will be able to keep a balance and not be led astray from serving God.

Paul cites a beautiful example of generosity of the Christians in Philippe. The example of generosity of the Christians in Philippe shows that our generosity in sharing our possession with the needy can help to serve God and God's works. In a way, a person can be free from being under the control of wealth or possession by being generous. The generous life leads to trust in God more than material possession. The more a person becomes generous, the more he or she can realize one's nothingness before God and be ready to serve Him.

Let's pray that God may give us grace to use wealth in a responsible way.