LESS IS MORE

For I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. – Philippians 4:11

       What does a monk ask for himself? We were curious so we asked our formator, a Benedictine monk. I never forgot his reply. “Honestly, I don’t pray for myself anymore,” he said, “I pray for other people. I am content with what I have.”

       His answer kept echoing in my mind. So one day, I prayed that I might have the same attitude. Eventually, I noticed that God was gradually changing me.

       I began to be happier, more grateful and appreciative of what I have. Whenever God sent blessings my way, I saw them as bonuses. I discovered that what I really need, God had already provided, and most of what I ask for were things I could live without.

       I also became more satisfied, patient and aware of how blessed I was.

       Living in this world draws us to so many things that, sometimes, we desire to have more and more. We tend to forget to be contented and grateful for what God has already given.

       But when we train ourselves to desire less, we begin to see how God is giving us so much more. Ma. Luisa De la Cruz (theessence_byluisa@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Assess yourself now: How content are you with what you have and how thankful are you to God for them?

Beloved Jesus, teach me to be more satisfied with what You provide and make my heart thankful at all times. Amen.

Blessed John Duns Scotus, pray for us.

Money can become a very contentious subject in religious circles. How should we deal with money and wealth as Christians? What should be our priorities when it comes to spending money? It is good to remember that what God wants is that we be generous with what we have. We also have to give a good account of how we spend money, so it is important to be transparent in handling it.

10 Brothers and sisters: I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity. 11 Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. 12 I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. 14 Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. 15 You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. 17 It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. 18 I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; 6 he shall never be moved; the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance. (R) 8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

“Money, money, money, must be funny, in a rich man’s world.” So go the lyrics of a song in the 1970s by the Swedish group Abba. Money is a very slippery thing to handle. Used well it is a blessing; abused or allowed to dominate, it can be a curse and even the downfall of a ministry or community.

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

9 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. 11 If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? 12 If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? 13 No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. 15 And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

think:  God wants us to be generous with what we have.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 64-66

BEING TRUSTWORTHY IS BEING FAITHFUL

Once, in a singing contest, a judge known to have progressed gradually from an unknown performer to a revered one, gave this advice to the participants:  “If you want to excel, to be treated seriously, and to advance considerably in your singing career, do not treat practices as mere practice. Always sing at performance level. That is, practice as if you are already competing!” It is the same with spiritual life — either we are trustworthy or not. It will show in everything we do and say. We cannot row between two rivers. Something has to give. We need to choose.

       In teaching trustworthiness, Jesus does not distinguish between great or small, dishonest or true, personal or neighbor’s. Our attitude to one reflects our attitude to the other. We sometimes have a tendency to take for granted small things and simple situations, but the Lord Jesus reminds us in the Parable of the Dishonest Steward that everything must be considered with great appreciation and sincere treatment. For Him, even practices or preliminaries reflect the actual and main events.

      In the last part of the Gospel today, Jesus presented the true dilemma: Do we serve God or mammon? Do we obey God or another? Do we pledge allegiance to our Creator or a fellow creature? The choice is clear. But do we make that clear choice? This is not just a matter of saying or thinking about the choice. This is about living the choice. For Jesus, if we really and truly choose the Lord, it should be true every time, everywhere and to everyone. Never will it be compromised. Discipleship is not seasonal and relative. It is full-time and absolute.

       Thus, being trustworthy is actually being faithful. When we essentially and obediently manage the gifts that God has bestowed on us according to His purpose, we are trustworthy. Doing so completely and summarily removes, destroys and eliminates the participation of the evil one. Doing so also establishes, strengthens and affirms our union with God. We are faithful. We are disciples. We are God’s children. Fr. Benny Tuazon

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How trustworthy are you in your spiritual life? Do you live each day as if God is right there in front of you?

Lord Jesus, help me to be completely united with You — in my thoughts, in my words, and in my deeds.