The Catholic Calendar for Friday, November 4, 2005
The Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Charles Borromeo, bishop

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Romans 15:14-21
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Luke 16:1-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Prepare a full account of your stewardship"

There will come a time when we are asked to prepare a full account of what we have done with all that God has given us. It will not be an easy task, but it will happen all the same.

Where will we stand at that time?

If we have wisely used the things God has given us, if we have shared the master's wealth with others, we'll find those who stand ready to help us. The prayers of others will be heard and the Master will account our behavior as good.

God demands very little from us. Among those things most important to Him are a just and equitable division of His goods among His people. How do we achieve this? Like the steward in this case, we take all that God has given us and give it away -- and ask for less, or for nothing in return. The Master is not jealous of His possessions, but rather of His people. The goods of this world are squandered when we hoard them, but they grow in effectiveness as they are shared.

Let us be ready when we’re called to show to God all the people whom we have helped with the good things He has given us. It will not justify us, but it will give glory to God.

- JuandelaCruz

(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)