Care For the Poor Touches God’s Heart.
Dear Parishioners,
The exploitation of the poor has always met with the strongest condemnation in the eyes of the Lord. To oppress the poor and destitute is to violate the core principles of charity, love, and justice.
In today’s liturgy, the Prophet Amos confronts the unjust practices of his time, where the poor and disadvantaged were being exploited in Israel. His voice continues to resonate in our own time. He denounces the injustices that persist in our global society and speaks out against those who do harm to the poor. The Church’s social teaching challenges our consciences and reminds us of our solemn obligation to care for the poor and marginalized.
In the Gospel, Jesus deepens our understanding of this obligation by addressing the proper use of material goods and the importance of fiscal responsibility. He does not condemn wealth itself—material goods are not evil. In fact, they are necessary for life and are meant to be shared.
The Lord teaches us how we should conduct ourselves in relation to money and resources. In the parable, He appears to praise the dishonest steward—not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness and ability to act decisively in a moment of crisis. Jesus highlights the steward’s prudence in using financial means to secure his future. While He does not endorse the steward’s unethical behavior, He recognizes the value of foresight, wisdom, and swift action.
The steward in today’s Gospel was accused of mismanagement, yet he was not ultimately fired by his master. Faced with a crisis, he made financial deals in the hope of securing a good reputation for future security. Jesus draws a powerful lesson from this story: He wants us to be prudent, enterprising, and judicious—yet also morally sound and just.
The Lord teaches that material goods and money are to be used not merely for personal gain but for eternal purposes. These blessings are meant to be shared in a way that brings happiness and dignity to our neighbors. No one is meant to hoard wealth solely for themselves. Neither should a few nations consume a disproportionate share of the world’s resources while others languish in poverty and desperation. The prophet Amos decried such injustice in his time, and his message still rings true today.
We are not to imitate the steward's dishonesty, but to learn from his foresight and initiative. Every gift we have comes from God; when we use our blessings to care for the poor and vulnerable, we resemble the master in the parable who chose to use his material goods in a wise and generous way.
Jesus sets a higher standard for us. He says we must be faithful stewards, because “we are children of light.” He calls us to use our time, talents, and treasures in ways that secure our standing with God and serve the needs of others. We are burdened with many challenges. Our faith is often criticized, attacked, and threatened. Yet in all these trials, Jesus calls us to be faithful, even in small matters. We must not be deceived by the world or its fleeting promises.
If the choice is between God and money, then we must choose to serve God alone. Saint Paul exhorts us to pray that the power of money, wealth, and secular authority may not overwhelm us. Instead, let your light shine brightly—because “we are children of light.”
May we, too, be wise stewards of the resources entrusted to us by using them not only for our needs but for the good of others; especially the poor and vulnerable among us for it touches God’s heart.
Sincerely Yours In Christ,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
