Liturgy

Community Liturgy

Our Community Liturgy was beautifully prepared by Year 10 today – thank you to all students involved.

Next week Year 8 will prepare the Mass to finish the term. At next Friday’s Mass we will also acknowledge all our Altar Servers from all year levels. It is a blessing that we have such a strong group of servers, and that they are rostered for all College liturgies.

Community Liturgy summary

Where: College Chapel
Time: 8:00am – 8:30 am
When: every Friday in term time

GOOD NEWS for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“You cannot be slaves both of God and of money.”
Luke 16:1-13

The reflection for this Sunday’s Gospel is from Greg Sunter, who has worked in Catholic Education for many years and has extensive experience of ministry with young people. He is the author of books on adolescent faith.

This week’s gospel passage, the parable of the steward and his master, reminds us that we cannot be a follower of God and chase after riches at the same time. The actions of the steward upon learning that he is to be dismissed seem to us to be evidence of his dubious dealings and yet the master praises his astuteness.

When a steward entered into loans and deals on behalf of his master, he would build into the repayment a profit for himself. This was quite normal and acceptable. So the amount that the steward asks the debtors to reduce their debts to the master is actually the cut that he had built into the deal for himself. His actions are, surprisingly, quite noble and legitimate. What he is doing is ensuring that his master receives all that is owed to him whilst the steward is making himself more popular with the debtors because they don’t have to pay back as much. It would be like a modern day salesman saying that he would forego his commission on the sale so that the purchaser didn’t have to pay as much.

But why does Jesus use this parable? He makes the point that when the crunch comes – when the kingdom of God is imminent – monetary wealth is going to be meaningless. It is best to cut your losses and turn your energy to building relationships rather than riches.

Historical Context – Stewards

We often encounter the term steward in the gospels. To be the steward of a household or business was much more than being the manager on behalf of the owner. Stewardship meant to stand and act in the place of the owner. It was to carry the authority and responsibility of the master or owner. When dealing with a steward it was just like dealing with the master. Jesus sometimes portrays himself as God’s steward and sometimes portrays the disciples as his stewards. To be entrusted with the stewardship of anything was a great honour and carried enormous trust.

Gospel Focus – Using money

Jesus tells his audience to use money to win friends so that when your money fails you your friends will welcome you. This sounds a bit like buying friendship. But what Jesus was saying was to share your riches with those in need and not be boastful and greedy of your wealth. He is calling his audience back to the commands of God to take care of the needy and to make sure that no one is left without enough to live. So the friendship Jesus is encouraging the people to make through their money is a friendship with the poor and the needy.

Money seems to get a pretty bad rap in the gospel of Luke. In this passage, it is even described as ‘that tainted thing’ which is the lowest measure of trustworthiness. However, it is not money as such that is the concern, but rather it is the love of money and inappropriate use of money. In the Jewish tradition, the measure of society was based on how the lowest and the least were treated and looked after. When our focus is on acquiring money and possessions, it is impossible to be using our money for the good of others.