Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27, Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11, Luke 16:9-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110511.cfm
BIG THINGS AND LITTLE THINGS
"If you can trust a man in little things, you can also trust him in greater; while anyone unjust in a slight matter is also unjust in greater." -Luke 16:10
Priscilla and Aquila literally "risked their necks" for the sake of St. Paul and the Gospel (see Rm 16:3-4, RSV-CE). This is no exaggeration; Paul was martyred when Roman soldiers severed his neck. Risking thousands of dollars is a little thing in comparison to risking your life for the Gospel. Paul first trusted Priscilla and Aquila because he worked with them in business (Acts 18:3). He trusted them with greater things when he moved into their house and shared not only lodgings but a mission (Acts 18:3-4; Rm 16:3). God also trusted Priscilla and Aquila with His Church, as an early Church group met in their home (Rm 16:5).
Jesus calls money a little thing and spreading the Gospel a greater thing. The world places great importance on money, but "what man thinks important, God holds in contempt" (Lk 16:15). Many of God's people are preoccupied with money problems. Yet focusing on these "little" problems permits them to become thorns which grow thicker and choke off the seeds of God's Word. These Christians produce no harvest for the Lord (Mk 4:7).
Which group describes your life? Are you like Priscilla and Aquila, magnifying the Lord and minimizing your problems so as to bear a rich harvest for Jesus? Or are you making the problems of this world bigger than life and making God into a "little thing," unable to be trusted with your cares? "You cannot give yourself to God and money" (Lk 16:13). Give your life and your problems to God today.
Prayer: Father, may I and my money proclaim: "In God we trust."
Promise: "May glory be given through Jesus Christ unto endless ages. Amen." -Rm 16:27
Praise: "Great is the Lord and highly to be praised" (Ps 145:3). Alleluia!
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from October 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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