Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
In the gospel reading, Jesus suggests that his followers “make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth.” How can wealth be a friend and what makes this wealth dishonest? In the first reading, St. Paul lives out his Christian friendships as he greets many fellow disciples. How are we called to develop friendships that are holy and life-giving for both ourselves and our community?
As I reflect on the gospel reading, it seems that Jesus is talking about wealth that is of this world-our material possessions, talents and time. Although we may believe that these are things that we gain by our own efforts, they are really God-given. They are not dishonest or evil on their own accord, but if we allow them to become our primary focus, then our gaze is taken away from the source of our true wealth- God. We become friends with this “dishonest wealth” when we recognize their value, and yet we are able to let go or be detached from all they represent. When we are grateful to the Giver and generous with our giving, then we use this wealth in the best way. Jesus comments those who can deal wisely with the wealth of this world can be trusted with the greater things. Working in these small ways allows us to be better prepared to receive and then share the greater gifts of God’s love, mercy, peace, and hope. Whether small or large, we are called to keep our focus on serving God through the use of the gifts we receive.
In the reading from Romans, St. Paul sends his greetings to a long list of people. Some of these people, Paul knew personally, but several of these people Paul had never met. Paul reaches out in Christian fellowship with these greetings of kind wishes and blessings. He also invites his readers to “greet one another with a holy kiss.” Paul is trying to demonstrate a friendship and respect to all included in the Christian community. He reminds us that it is the obedience to our faith in Jesus that binds all together in this special way. The friendship of those in the community allows each person to work together using their gifts and talents for the greater good of God’s kingdom.
How is God calling us to make friends with the world around us? God created us, our gifts, and the world around us, so all of this is good. The challenge for us is to keep our focus on God in the midst of all of the other things that draw our attention away. We are called to be mindful that we have been given the gifts of life, talents, and material goods not to be just used for our own benefit, but for the service of God and others. This is a good place to begin in making friends with our world. We are also called to a friendship with those in our Christian community as we serve together united by our faith in Jesus. Centering our gratitude on God for these many gifts furthers our healthy relationship with the people and things that surround us. Hopefully, keeping our eyes directed toward God will allow us to be open, aware and receptive to God’s presence in us and around us. We find our true wealth when we see our lives, our possessions, our friendships and the world around us as a visible expression of God’s love. This revelation of love invites us into the most important friendship that we can ever have- our relationship with God. When we allow our response to God’s presence to help us grow in our love for God, then we can be transformed into disciples who then go forth and share God and God’s gifts with the world.
Loving God, Jesus shows us that your love for us is great. Through the grace of your Spirit, allow us to grow in our relationship with you, so we can grow in your love and share this love with the world. May our lives give you glory and praise. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline