A WORD FOR TODAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*BE SERIOUS IN PURSUING HEAVENLY GOALS*

_“He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches" (Luke 16:10-11)_

*CHASE THE RIGHT GOALS*

_*We chase different goals in life and our values differs from people to people and from place to place. However, anyone who follows Christ must be heavenly minded (If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2) and must seriously work towards reaching eternal life in the end.*_

*CHOOSE WISELY*

_The gospel reading of today teaches us a lot about choosing what is important over that which does not require us to spend our energy on it._

*USE THE BIBLE AS YOUR GUIDE*

_*The Scripture has shown us what is expected of us to live a good life and to win eternal life, therefore anyone who choose to follow Christ, must be ready to pay the price and make sacrifices that will help the person to lead a quiet, peacable, godly and respectful life in every way as St Paul tells us in the second reading.*_

*WISDOM IS NECESSARY*

_In wisdom we must keep doing what is right and keep glorifying the name of Christ and we shall be qualified to enter into our heavenly homeland._

*BE A GOOD STEWARD*

_*We are stewards of God and He has entrusted His gifts and riches to us. We are expected to use it well in His honour. We must be astute like the dishonest steward in the gospel in the manner we pursue heavenly goals. We must seek the Lord and love the things of God with a sincere and genuine heart. We must not play with it, but give it all our best whenever we are required to do something for Him and in His honour.*_

*USE YOUR GIFTS TO HELP THE POOR*

_If you are truly a steward of God, you must constantly know that whatever you have is given to you by the Lord, therefore, you will use it to do good in His name. You must help the needy and the poor and not trample upon them and take advantage of their situation as the first reading tells us. The prophet Amos spoke the truth and refused to join the praise singers of the king's policies where it was only favourable to the rich and not the poor. You must also strive to promote the works of God's kingdom. This is very true, because a man's wealth is not in what he has which he has kept for himself, but in what he has been able to give out to make a positive impact in people. Therefore make good use of your resources wisely._

*BE COMMITTED TO YOUR TASK*

_*We are called to be faithful to God and be committed to the task He has given to us. We must strive everyday to change our attitude and behaviour to be worthy of our name as God's children. We must choose heaven over the earth and we must serve God and not be slaves to mammon. We must constantly use every opportunity we get in this life to do good so that when we die, the good we have done will be the key to open the door of heaven for us.*_

*BE A GOOD ADMINISTRATOR*

_How are you administering the gift placed in your charge by God as a leader, lawyer, doctor, nurse, teacher, Engineer, politician, priest, religious, business man or woman, civil servant, husband, wife, parents, children and so on. Strive to use it wisely and faithfully and pursue the heavenly goals always and you will be greatly rewarded by God on the last day. We must constantly offer prayers for one another and especially for those in authority so that they will do what is right and beneficial to all, especially the less privileged._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a lovely Sunday. May God give you the grace to seek heaven over the things of the earth. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Amos 8:4-7/Psalm 113:1-2,4-8/1 Timothy 2:1-8/Luke 16:1-13

*Watch-Word:* Praise the Lord who raises the poor from the dust.

*God loves the poor and we must use the gifts He has given to us to help them.*

(Twenty-fifth Sunday in the ordinary time. Year II)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*