Gospels explained by Jesus - Gospel messages, gospels explanation |
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Luke 16:1-13
Year C -
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
You cannot serve God and money.
The love of riches, power and self-love has been the downfall of many. Some work very hard to achieve success in their lives at the cost of their own salvation. They make money their false god who cannot save but condemn. In the process they appear to be smarter than other men who struggle to survive in a world full of competition.
This is the wisdom of the children of the world, which is so revolting in my sight. All the riches that I have created are for the common benefit of mankind, not for the selfish growth of individuals who take advantage of others. In the previous parable it is shown how man is desperate for the high opinion of others and disregards the opinion of his master. It illustrates how a man is so inadequate to administer the riches that are given from above. Indeed, money has been the reason for corruption throughout the ages because it gives power and buys friends, but it is the weakness of the man who being so rich can not enter the kingdom of God, who amasses his fortune at the price of injustice and who places himself on a high place at the cost of charity. The riches of this world are really nothing compared to the riches of everlasting life, therefore if a man cannot give a good account of the little wealth that he receives here; it is very difficult for him to receive more, since this may be the cause of his misfortune. The problem with the rich man is that he becomes obsessed with money, to such an extent that he forgets about the kingdom of Heaven. He becomes the slave of his own destruction. I have come to give an example of detachment, self-denial and acceptance of the will of God. He who insists in becoming rich may obtain his goal but at the cost of his own salvation unless he practices charity and justice. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Received by: Joseph
of Jesus and Mary
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1 AND he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused before him, that he had wasted his goods.
