31st Week in the Ordinary Time - Saturday (Year II)
5th November 2022 (Saturday) Readings and Reflection
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are on the Saturday of 31th week in the ordinary time. Today's gospel reflection is on the theme Win friends!
{getToc} $title={Contents}
For more certainty the Readings are posted from the Latest Catholic Lectionary{alertInfo}
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Philippians 4:10-19
Brethren: I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to sharef my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9 (R. 1a)
Response: Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or: Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord,
who takes great in delight his commandments
His descendants shall be powerful on earth;
the generation of the upright will be blest. Response
It goes well for the man who deals generously and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
He will never be moved;
forever shall the just be remembered. Response
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
Openhanded, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm forever.
His might shall be exalted in glory. Response
Gospel : Luke 16. 1,9-15
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Win friends!
Indicative: Fidelity is a value that is on the decline. Not many take it seriously. The simple reason is that it brings no visible or practical gains{alertSuccess}
1. Greed is one root cause of many evils. It leads to dishonesty, deception, and corrosion of all right values and relationships. Money and material well-being are good. But the excessive craving for them and attachment to them is pernicious. They rupture the goodness of the heart and the genuineness and beauty of relationships.
2. One who is greedy becomes a slave to the very things for which he is the master. Wealth and material things are kept at our disposal so that we make use of them for good purposes. They are meant to serve and help others. They are never for self-interests or wrong pleasures.
3. Our main focus is God, spirituality, and eternity. Our binding values must be honesty and fidelity. Jesus clearly cautions us to guard ourselves against the spirit of avarice and accumulation. Greed is an untold slavery and undignified servitude. It breaches our holy servantship to God. It makes us neglect our striving for true, spiritual, heavenly riches.
4. The material riches and possessions in themselves are not wrong. Having them in itself is not sinful. But the way they are acquired, the purpose for which they are used, and the effect of them where they lead us – these are very important. If deceptive means are employed to acquire them, if they are used for unworthy pleasures, self-glory, and suppression of others, and if they make one arrogant and manipulative, then they are very destructive.
5.As St Paul testifies in his letter to the Phillippians, we must always cultivate a spirit of contentment and moderation in all situations. How convincingly he attests: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”
Imperative: Let us constantly nurture the spirit and culture if honesty and fidelity, contentment, and moderation. It will make us increase our heavenly riches and acceptable in God’s sight{alertSuccess}
Video Reflection
{getButton} $text={For More} $icon={link} $color={Hex Color}