by Fr Mbongiseni Khuluse
Click HERE for Sunday’s readings
Previous Sundays Gospel was based on the lost. The lost sheep, coin and son. By nature man is a wicked creature, his will is always against the will of God. We are forever lost in the mist of our imperfections but thanks be to God, by Jesus Christ His son who offered Himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
1st reading: Am 8:4-7
God will punish those who have abused their power, authority, wealth to enslave His people.
For power is holding someone else’s freedom, dignity, will and fears in your hands and use it to manipulate them into doing what is desired by you. We are reminded that God will set free all those who through power vested on us we have oppressed. Those who we have denied freedom of choice, those who are trafficked, enslaved and exploited. We should see God in each and every human being. Treat them as we would to Christ. Knowing that God has sad He will intervene for His people.
2nd reading: 1 Tim 2:1-8
Let us intercede for all man kind to God who loves that they may all be saved, especially those in position of power (authority) because absolute power corrupts. Once a person is corrupt he/she is as good as dead and death is nothing but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily. And St Paul is encouraging us to pray for all mankind so that they may not die, but so that they may be glorious. Pray that God might pour out His grace upon leaders and legislators so that they can rule His people with dignity and justice. That Christ might grant us all a pure conscious that will help us end corruption. So that we can stand spotless before Christ in prayer.
Gospel: Luke 16:1-13
Parable of the unfaithful servant, a reminder about loyalty, honesty, modesty, consciousness, accountability and integrity. For real integrity is doing the right thing knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. Knowing that your father in heaven sees you and He will reward you. Being faithful in the little entrusted to you by Him so that you can be blessed in abundance. Christ revealed through us being ambassadors for Christ. Refusing bribes, not giving bribes advocating for peace and justice.
Amen!!!