Gini coefficient is an index that measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of wealth in a country. The higher the number, the higher the inequality. Scandinavian countries enjoy low Gini coefficients in the 0.20s. The Philippines is around 0.45, while South Africa tops it at 0.60s.

When the gap between rich and poor becomes too wide, it creates injustice and disunity. No matter how united we are in faith, ideologies, and family values, we cannot be unified when people on top live in excess while the rest can hardly put food on the table. We can’t totally eradicate poverty, but we can help each other achieve financial peace. Numerous studies show that the way to be financially healthy is to automate saving and investing. No amount of financial education can match the positive effect of even just a minor design tweak in the salary structure incorporating this automaticity.

If I could ask a genie for a wish, I’d ask for automatic saving and investing for everyone to improve our gini coefficient! But 02God is no genie. He teaches us to make the effort. And by His grace, we shall! 

Rose Fres Fausto (Rose@FQMom.com)

reflect

In your own household and company, what have you done to help those who have less to have more? 

Lord, help us help one another by using the power of design to keep the bond of peace.

St. John of Capistrano, priest, pray for us.

Paul exhorts the Ephesians to bear with one another charitably. Let us also listen to this exhortation because we easily slip into selfishness and neglect to love and care for our fellow human beings. May all people think about this today and do something positive to help the less fortunate.

¹ Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, ³ striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: ⁴ one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

¹ The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. ² For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) ³ Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? ⁴ He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) ⁵ He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. ⁶ Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)

Gospel | Luke 12:54-59

Today, we live in a world marked by enormous inequalities. The rich continue to grow richer, while the poor grow poorer. What is the solution to this problem? Perhaps one answer lies in the willingness of the wealthy to embrace simpler lives. Addressing this issue will require people to work together more effectively than they currently do.

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

⁵⁴ Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does; ⁵⁵ and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? ⁵⁷ “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸ If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. ⁵⁹ I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read ISAIAH 5 - 8 today.

Jesus addressed the hypocrisy of the people by pointing out to them their expertise in reading the signs of nature, like rain through the clouds and heat through the winds. But when it comes to life situations, they seem to fail to know the consequences.

Nature is nature. While the world is facing a climate change, climate still runs its course. Climate change just made it worse—rather, humans made it worse. When we alter its course, abuse and misuse it, we suffer its dire consequences. And that is the point of Jesus. Human beings have the capacity to read through situations and affect results. He urges forgiveness and reconciliation to address conflicts and divisions. Why suffer the consequences of war, quarrels, disputes, and court cases? Why not settle the matter amicably? Others even go as far as destroying each other’s reputation, families, and generations. In the end, what they got is not worth what they went through. It was foolish—too painful and destructive.

This is easier said than done. But when we think about it, it is not only logical but also Christian. In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” Peacemakers are who we should be. We do not only aspire for peace; we are also urged to be agents of peace. We may not change the world, but we can change our little corner of this world. If we take care to ensure that our person and those we encounter are at peace, we are starting a little spark that may set the whole world on fire. If we encourage everyone to be peacemakers, peace becomes achievable. The result is unimaginable but possible.The Holy Spirit will inspire us to forgive, to be patient, to understand, and to be peacemakers. The Spirit will enkindle the world with God’s love through peace-loving and peacemaker Christians. 

Fr. Benny Tuazon

reflection questions

Are you conscious of the signs of the times? How do you respond to these signs? Do you see the hand of God through these signs?

God our Father, help us to see good from evil, holy from sinful, love from hate, kindness from meanness, generosity from greed, and peace from divisions. Give us the courage to promote and witness to what is good, holy, loving, kind, generous, and peaceful in our own little worlds. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________