I used to work as a nurse before entering the seminary. In my first months of formation, I was filled with concern about the Covid-19 problem at my previous place of work. There was even this one time when, after learning that some of my former co-workers had tested positive, I simply broke down in tears during mealtime. I felt as though I had abandoned them while their health was failing. It has been challenging but rewarding to fight alongside them in this health crisis that is raging our country. Being the head of the Covid-19 task force in my area was not just a job; it was also a way to give back to the community. But I had to make a decision, and I chose to go where my heart really is because responding to God’s call requires dedication. When I reflected on those occasions, I realized that I could not serve two masters at the same time.

The Gospel today is about the steward who, in the midst of losing his position, came up with acceptable solutions to his predicament. He thought that giving up some of his treasures was better than losing his stewardship, and he did not waste time trying to justify himself.

As a priest-in-process, the challenge for me is to continually give myself to the formation. My everyday “yes” to God’s call should always be followed with the same level of honesty. I am reminded of the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” which was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. He ought to be my top priority in everything in my life. Although letting go of my former life and choosing a new path may seem challenging, I am confident that God will keep His promises. Sincerity is encouraged by this journey since it leads to trust. If we are filled with God’s grace, there’s nothing more to look for. I must choose God over others, for it is the most important thing I must do.

By: Sem. Peter John D. Arao

Today’s Gospel

Luke 16:1-13

Jesus said to his disciples,
“A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
‘What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.’
The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.’
He called in his master’s debtors one by one.
To the first he said,
‘How much do you owe my master?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’
Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’
He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’
The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.’
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
“For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than are the children of light.
I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
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.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
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 both God and mammon.”