ST MARTIN OF TOURS (Memorial) White

Martin, as a Christian convert joined the Roman imperial army at the age of 15. Once in a horseback in Gaul, he encountered a half-naked beggar and gave half of his officer’s cloak to him. Later Martin had a vision of Christ wearing the cloak. He later became a hermit and formed what would become the Benedictine abbey of Liguge. He died a bishop.

First Reading: Rom 16:3-9. 16. 22-27; Psalm: 145 R. v. 1b; Gospel: Lk 16:9-15

HONESTY AND HOLY FEAR

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Lk16:15).

One of the ways the Pharisees justify their righteousness was by riches. This was because the Jews believed that riches were the reward of the righteous while poverty and sickness was punishment for sin. So, the Pharisees associated righteousness with riches. This explains why they were referred to as ‘lovers of money’ in today’s gospel. And why they scoffed at Jesus when they heard him say “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Jesus disproved of the belief that wealth was the reward for righteousness and reprimanded the Pharisees to stop living on false hope because God knew their hearts. And that it was an abomination in the sight of God for them to deceive men into believing that the possession of wealth was a sign of righteousness.

The first lesson from the gospel of today is that God knows our heart. The consciousness of this truth should motivate us to live a very honest life; for it is a waste of time and energy to live a lie. We were not created to pretend or to live to please people. We were created to be honest and to live for God. And once we begin to live for God, all our deeds are justified. The second lesson is that we must be careful about the ideas we sow in the minds of people regarding the things of God. We must not interpret divine realities based on subjective opinions but based on divine revelation lest we sin.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord God, we pray for the spirit of sincerity and fear of God. Amen.