We were born in this world with
nothing. We were naked the first time we experienced the world. But out of
love and sense of responsibility, our parents clothed us and gave us
everything that we needed. They gave us nourishment, clothing, good education,
etc. They did this because they wanted to give what is due to us, being their
offspring, and because they loved us. That is why whatever we become is an expression
on how we are nurtured by our parents.
It is said that charity begins at
home. Charity is an expression of justice, by which the command of Jesus that
we should love one another is put into practice. Justice is a moral virtue
that consists in the constant and firm will to give what is due to God and
neighbor. In other words, charity and justice go hand in hand. We are just if
we are charitable and we are charitable if we are just. Basically, these
virtues are the primary lessons that we learned from our parents at home.
In the Gospel for this Sunday,
these two virtues are seen in Jesus’s denial that we can serve two masters, God
and mammon (riches), at the same time. We can only serve one master. Or better
yet in the human level, we can serve the people by having the pure intention of
serving the people and not because of the budget or money intended for the
people. It is good to strive hard for a family’s honor, but it is not right
that for the sake of the family, one will sacrifice justice and charity--which
is what the unworthy steward did when he used the property of his master to
ensure a comfortable retirement for himself.
In life, sometimes we are
attracted to wealth to the point that we do not realize that we have become
corrupt and already oppress people. Because of the desire for wealth, we forget
what we have learned at home. Is this what we want to be? Hence, let us go back
to our home. Let us think of our family. Is wealth worth the sacrifice of a
good name, or even more, the sacrifice of eternal life with God? Wealth is
good. However, it is just temporary. What we have to strive towards is not
temporal life but life eternal. What is wealth? We cannot carry it with us to
the next world. We attain a comfortable life through wealth. But eternal life
is a gift bestowed upon those who live justly and charitably.
Lord God, Loving and Merciful Father, thank you for the gift of
family. Help us to appreciate your entire creation with a contented mind and
heart. Help us to be just and charitable by giving what is due to you and to
our neighbor. May your loving mercy always abound in our hearts. Amen.
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