Each of us must give an account of himself to God

Each of us must give an account of himself to God

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Rom. 15:14-21, Lk. 16:1-8. Paul was a zealous preacher, apostle of the Gentiles, prolific writer and itinerant teacher of faith. In today’s first reading, he boasts of his work and enjoins us to modulate our daily activities in a way that pleases the Lord. Paul treasures the gift of grace and believes that we are enlivened by the Holy Spirit. He speaks about his service to the Gospel to his readers in the Church of Rome, whom he has not yet met, but admits that all his apostolic work was not really his own doing. God’s Spirit prompted Paul to undertake the challenge of preaching where Christ’s name was unknown. Today's Gospel speaks in plain, everyday language about what is expected of us. We are invited to be enterprising and to act with initiatives.

Jesus acknowledges the shrewdness of the steward and tells us how the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own concern than the sons of light. The followers of Jesus are not called to be manipulative but to be smart, committed and faithful to their mission. We must plan ahead and be resourceful, for in making good use of our talents, we serve God who created us in His image and likeness. The main character is a steward who was wasteful and was dismissed but takes decisive action to provide for his future. Calling a meeting of his master’s creditors, he reduces the debts they owe, by cancelling the cut that he would have taken for himself. In other words, he forfeited money he would have received to gain the future goodwill and hospitality of his master’s debtors. In his moment of crisis he knew that some things are more important than immediate profit and, on that basis, he took decisive action. As the unjust steward used money that was due to him to win friends for the future, we are to use our resources to win eternal life for ourselves. If we are generous here and now, we will be repaid in the future, in this life and beyond. It is another angle on the principle that “the measure you give is the measure you will get back.”

May the Lord help those in pain to know that the Father cares for them and everyone who devote their lives to the service of the Lord! Amen!! Good morning, It is well with you!!!

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