Christ Jesus, help me help me deal wisely in this world with the Light, love and life that I have received at your hand...

              
Luke 16:1-13

Jesus told a parable of a shrew, self-protective manager who realized he was losing his job because he was squandering his boss’ property; he used his customary shady business habits and the resources he had at hand to maximize his own gain once he was unemployed. Jesus told this parable not to encourage his listeners to engage dishonesty as needed, but to illustrate how we as ‘children of the Light’ have much to learn about wisely using the resources we have at hand in this life ‘to make friends for ourselves’ and survive the circumstance of our life journeys. Said another way, Jesus counsels us to use all of our (spiritual) resources to find our way home to heaven. All wealth is arguably dishonest in this world where schemes and shady deals in the hands of a handful of billionaires rake in cash and throw it to the wind – or even to outer space travel. As much as I shop and exchange money in the present global economy, I use currency derived from this dishonest wealth, often produced by the extraction industries that globally rape the earth and pollute our atmosphere and oceans. What does Jesus ask us to do? With our integrity intact as children of the Father of Mercy Jesus encourages us to use whatever resources we have to serve the Lord and others in his ways of love in Truth and Truth in love, that is righteousness.  Will I use my power, position and possessions to prosper in the perverse and present world? Or will I use all of my powers, positions and possessions to gain welcome in our eternal home in heaven with Christ Jesus?  Christ Jesus, help me help me deal wisely in this world with the light, love and life that I have received at your hand.
 
 
Happy are those who fear the Lord ... They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous... they have distributed freely.  (Psalm 112: 1,2,9)
 
Don’t spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: Lift up your spirit and love God.
Saint Padre Pio  
 
Soli ad gloriam
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