Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.

Outline

Our society continually seeks more - it is not content

The gross national product must rise

The stock market must rise

Personal wealth must rise

Every city must grow

And to this we can add military strength, world influence, and more

What a contrast with Paul, who said, “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.”

Or with St Therese and many other saints who were content with sickness, just as Paul said, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul is talking in Philippians 4 about material contentedness

While he does thank the Philippians for their material support, he makes it clear that there is not a hint of rebuke for their earlier inability nor a touch of guilt that they should feel because of his need - he has no need, for he has Christ.

He is not an anti-materialist, but he also does not depend on material resources, a tricky balance to maintain: “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.”

Paul is content to receive every circumstance from God.

And Paul makes clear to the Philippians that he is thankful for their support, not because of his need, but because of their profit: “It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.”

And that profit does not necessarily mean material loss, “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus likewise talks about taking material goods and turning them into spiritual wealth

Wealth is dishonest - you cannot depend on it, ultimately you cannot keep it.

But wealth given to those in need means that in the end “you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

Wealth is a trust rather than a possession.

In a sense Jesus does not believe in personal property.

It is not that he believes that the State should own all, but that he believes that God owns all and that our goods are a trust, a stewardship from God.

This perspective underlies the Catholic Church’s ideas of the universal destination of goods.

Thus, what counts is what we do with that which is entrusted to us: enjoy what God wants us to enjoy, share what God wants us to share.

But, beware, for Jesus knows well that the more we have the more at risk we are, for our goods can become our masters, and that cuts us off from God: “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.”

Sisters, this is easy to talk about but difficult to apply

It is easy to talk about because Luke gives us a lot of material; yet at the same time it is difficult to talk about because our culture, including our Christian culture wants to soften Jesus in Luke.

I am not sure every priest welcomed - or even heard - that Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St John Paul II both taught that priests have a vow of poverty to be lived as St John Vianney lived it or that the cassock was the only garment of priests once.

They were to be dependent on God.

It is easy to talk about contentment with Paul, but difficult to do that if supplies are running low.

I think of my wife’s paternal grandmother whose husband was out of work during the depression, but who became an expert is cooking cornbread and beans and who always shared if a hungry person came by.

It is easy to talk about when we are full, when we have plenty and nice buildings, but - and I say it from personal experience - it is also easy to become manipulative in our seeking donations for there is always something more we could have.

Meditate on these texts.

Am I really content, or do I have a secret longing for something other than Jesus?

Do I become anxious in the face of material need?

Do I talk about the strength for everything through him who empower me or am I living it?

Readings

FIRST READING

Philippians 4:10–19

10 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.

RESPONSE

Text

PSALM

Psalm 112:1b–2, 5–6, 8a, 9

1 Hallelujah!

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commands.

2 His descendants shall be mighty in the land,

a generation of the upright will be blessed.

5 It is good for the man gracious in lending,

who conducts his affairs with justice.

6 For he shall never be shaken;

the righteous shall be remembered forever.

8 His heart is tranquil, without fear,

till at last he looks down on his foes.

9 Lavishly he gives to the poor;

his righteousness shall endure forever;

his horn shall be exalted in honor.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

2 Corinthians 8:9

9  For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

GOSPEL

Luke 16:9–15

9 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.

Notes

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY OF THE THIRTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Philippians 4:10–19

Response Text

Psalm Psalm 112:1b–2, 5–6, 8a, 9

Gospel Acclamation 2 Corinthians 8:9

Gospel Luke 16:9–15

GREEN