Readings: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

First Reading

 

First Reading: Philippians 4:10-19

Brothers and sisters:
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. 
Not that I say this because of need, 
for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, 
to be self-sufficient. 
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. 
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. 
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. 
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. 
For even when I was at Thessalonica 
you sent me something for my needs, 
not only once but more than once. 
It is not that I am eager for the gift; 
rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. 
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. 
My God will fully supply whatever you need, 
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 

Responsorial Psalm

 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9

R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. 
       or: Alleluia. 

Blessed the man who fears the Lord, 
who greatly delights in his commands. 
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; 
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. 
       or: Alleluia. 

Well for the man who is gracious and lends, 
who conducts his affairs with justice; 
He shall never be moved; 
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. 
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. 
       or: Alleluia. 

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. 
Lavishly he gives to the poor; 
his generosity shall endure forever; 
his horn shall be exalted in glory. 
R./ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. 

Holy Gospel

 

Gospel Introduction

       After the Lord’s parable on the unjust steward, Luke adds several statements from various sources, some allegorical reflections of the early Christian communities, some his own comments, all rather remotely related to the parable. Behind these lies his attitude toward poverty and the use of the goods of this earth.

Gospel Reading: Lk 16:9-15

Jesus said to his disciples, "And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.

"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could entrust you with true wealth? And if you have not been trustworthy with things that are not really yours, who will give you the wealth which is your own?

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money."

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. He said to them, "You do your best to be considered righteous by people. But God knows the heart, and what rises high among humans is loathed by God."