Gospel: Luke 16: 1-8
The man of the world who finds himself out of favor with the powers that be finds an enterprising way to gain favor with others. He shows mercy to them by reducing their burden and cancelling their debts. By doing so they show gratitude to him and provide him with means to a livelihood. Jesus notes this act of mercy from people who have no consideration for God's kingdom.
Now consider those who claim to be not of this world. It is our singular task from God to show mercy to other people because mercy has been showed to us by God. And yet Jesus finds few of us about that one task given to us. Instead, he sees us claiming privilege, lording it over others, excluding others from accessing God. But does he find us about the business of showing mercy?
Even the threat of divine punishment does not lead us to show mercy. Instead, we will create vicarious acts of piety and devotion to substitute for what we truly must do, anything to avoid showing mercy to other people. But we always have the opportunity and the invitation from Jesus to do as he did - to show mercy to others and create deep gratitude in the world as a result.
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