Sunday's Readings

Is today’s Gospel a portrait of your life? Are you the Pharisee who looks for faults rather than good or criticizes more often than offering praise and encouragement? Do you believe all are sinners and need Jesus as savior or have you bought the popular lie of the ‘cult of relativism’ that no moral law is binding and there are no absolute truths? And that what one person believes is as valid as what someone else believes regardless of whether it is true or not? In other words, in the name of tolerance, have you abandoned truth? Do you believe that truth is still truth even if no one believes it, and a lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it? 

Do you rejoice when one sinner comes to repentance and assist the Lord in his work of redemption? Are you the merciful father, not only willing to forgive but being on constant watch and going out of your way to bring a sinner to reconciliation with the Lord? Are you the prodigal son (or daughter) who made poor choices (I was) and are still wondering if you should come back home (I did)? Are you the jealous brother (sister) who just can’t stand it when someone else receives more attention than you? 

First Reading
Amos 8:4-7
Unfair business practices and injustice to the poor will be judged by God.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 113: 1-2,4-6,7-8
Praise be to God, who raises up the poor.

Second Reading
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Paul tells Timothy that prayer for those in authority is pleasing to God because God wills the salvation of all.

Gospel Reading
Luke 16:1-13 (shorter form, Luke 16:10-13)
Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest steward who is commended for his prudence; one cannot serve both God and money.