25th Sunday Ordinary Time Homily 2022
Reading 1: Amos 8:4-7 Reading 2: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Gospel Luke 16:1-13
Homily presented by Franklin Fong, OFM
This weekend’s readings are an interesting grouping of readings that all focus our attention on how we are to relate to the economic and business parts of our human world.
In the first reading from Amos we hear that we are not to accumulate wealth nor to oppress nor cheat the poor and down trodden. And that more importantly, God will remember how we treated others.
Then in the second reading from St Paul’s letter to Timothy, we hear of how we are to pray for, yes even the powerful and those in authority as well as to gentiles, strangers, yes everyone. And most importantly is that we pray for them without anger or argument, in other words to pray for them with love.
Finally in the Gospel reading from Luke we hear of how we must not have two masters. Wealth competes with God as our Lord and master. Our God will pay attention to how we treat the poor and marginated in our world. The key point here is that you do not show disdain for the poor and to manage whatever wealth we have with consideration of the greater riches awaiting us in heaven. In other words you treat people with love and wealth is to be shared.
So what is the take home message?
Are our moral judgements consistent with the Gospel and Catholic social teaching? Holiness is not limited to the sanctuary. It is not limited to moments of private prayer.
We must preach with our head, heart and hands to bring the light of the Gospel to economic affairs of the our neighborhood and our world.
Every perspective on economic life in our world that is human, moral and Christian must address three basic questions:
(1) What does the economy do for people? When you are doing things of any kind, do not wreck the lives of the poor. God loves them very much and will remember your crime.
(2) What does the economy do to people. Don’t forget to be shrewd when you make things better for others. Nothing good can endure unless pragmatism enters in. Make the benefits go as far as you can.
And (3) How do people participate in the economic life?
All these areas must serve the material and spiritual well-being of people.
Finally, the second reading asks that we pray for those in authority. In the economic world, we need to pray for everyone who is involved in the business and economic world and not only those in authority!
So, A simple act of kindness which begins a series of prayers and then the interventions by the Holy Spirit to enable the care of the poor and hungry of our neighborhoods to be cared for.
Yes it begins with one simple leap of faith, followed by a series of leaps of faith and prayers to St Anthony, to St Mary, and the Holy Spirit – and we now see this incredible array of social services provided by many church organizations and committed laity to do something with love.
Sisters and brothers,
thank you for being such faithful preachers of the Good News
here in San Leandro !
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA !!!
Fr. Fong
(中文翻譯.原文以英文為準.)
常年期二十五主日
鄺神父主日道理中譯本
讀經一: 亞毛斯先知書 8: 4-7
讀經二: 第茂德前書: 2: 1-8
路加福音 16: 1-13
本週的幾篇讀經，組合成很有趣的卷籍，它們都將我們的關注點集中在我們如何把社會中的經濟和商業事務聯繫起來。
第一篇讀經亞毛斯先知書，我們聽到了不要積聚財富，也不要壓迫或欺騙貧窮和被踐踏的人。更重要的是，上主會記得我們曾經如何不公義的對待他人。
然後在第二篇讀經，聖保祿宗徒寫給弟茂得的書信中，我們聽到了我們應該如何為他人祈禱。即使是為有權勢的，身處高位的，也為每一個人，包括了外邦人和陌生人。尤其重要的是，我們在為他們祈禱時，不要心存憤怒或要與他們爭論，換句話說，要用愛為他們祈禱。
最後，路加福音告訴我們，我們不能侍奉兩個主人。若然，財富與天主就會在我們心中競逐主人的地位。上主會監察我們如何對待世上貧困和被邊緣化的人。這裡的關鍵是，不要對窮人表現出輕蔑，當我們在管理我們所擁有的財富時，應要考量在天上尚有更大的財富在等待着我們。換句話說，你必須以愛待人，與人分享財富。
那麼帶回家的信息是什麼？我們的道德判斷是否符合福音精神和教會的社會訓導？聖潔不只在聖殿。也不僅限於私人祈禱的時刻。我們必須用我們的智慧，心靈和雙手傳道，將福音的光輝帶到鄰舍和社會的經濟事務中。在人性，道德和基督化的經濟生活中，必須要回應三個基本要點：
(1) 經濟為人做了什麼？當你做任何經濟事情時，不要破壞弱勢社羣的生活。天主非常愛他們，並且會記住你的惡行。
(2) 經濟對人做了什麼？當您要為他人做得更好時，不要忘記事情的可行性和實用性。否則任何好事都無法持久。盡可能為人帶來最大效益。
(3) 人們如何參與經濟生活？所有這些經濟事務都應以提升人們的物質和精神福祉為依歸。
最後，讀經二要求我們為當權者祈禱。在經濟領域中，我們需要為所有參與商業和經濟活動的人祈禱，而不僅僅是為那些當權者！
所以，一個簡單的善行開始了一系列的祈禱，因着聖神的介入，使我們社區的窮人和飢餓的人得到照顧。是的，它從一個簡單的信靠開始，然後是一系列的信靠和對聖安多尼，聖母瑪利亞和聖神的祈禱，我們現在看到許多教會組織和有擔當的平信徒提供了一系列令人難以置信的社會服務，他們用愛來幹大事。
各位弟兄姊妹，謝謝你們在聖利安達社區做了福音喜訉的宣導者。
亞肋路亞，感謝天主！
