And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Aligning ourselves with the heart of God
This Gospel passage is familiar to many of us, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” However, a different verse stood out this time, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts” (as we hear in the translation proclaimed at Mass). The Sacrament of Reconciliation came to mind. Oftentimes I wonder why I need to go to a priest to confess my sins when I can confront my own brokenness and seek resolution with God on my own. A spiritual director cautioned me that if we set the standard of what is good and bad with our own justification then we embark on a slippery slope. Thank God then for the Church, my parish community and the priests who can be the voice of Christ and help separate my own justification from what lies in the heart of God.
—Adam Mescher is a graduate of Marquette University High School and Marquette University and currently works as a hospice chaplain.
Dear St. Ignatius, you tell me to bring everything I have into the light. I justify my actions to others, myself and to God. At this moment, I share with you a recent justification. Let me be softened by your warmth and the warmth of our Lord. Grant me the courage to reflect on my reaction and consider a mature step forward. Do you desire that I share my self-reflection with a trustworthy person, spiritual director, or an especially promised grace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Above all, let it be that my only desire is to remain with God. I resolve to prove that today. Amen.
—Adam Mescher
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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.
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