People First
September 23, 2007

Readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1: Amos 8:4–7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 113:1–2, 4–6, 7–8

Reading 2: 1 Tim. 2:1–8

Gospel: Lk. 16:1–13 or 16:10–13

Link to Readings

By Father Frank Pavone

The second reading today contains a verse that forms the basis for the lessons in the other readings: “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” It is the reality of the Incarnation that forms the basis for Christian morality, and in particular for our moral obligations regarding the use of money. The fact that Jesus is both God and man means that our relationship with God cannot be purely in a detached spiritual realm, disconnected with the things of earth. Rather, it is precisely through the proper use of the things of earth that we connect with our salvation and our God.

God did not bring about our salvation by just thinking about it, or by any other merely spiritual act. Instead, God jumped into the messy world of our life on earth, our suffering, the violence we do to one another, and the reality of the grave. And yet, in the midst of all this, He did not lose any of his divinity. This is the only way in which Jesus can be a “mediator.” He has to be part of both worlds whose relationship He is mediating.

Notice that the reading does not say “there was one mediator,” but rather, “there is one mediator.” Jesus is still both God and man today. He still has a beating heart, a human body, a place in our human family. He is still our mediator right now.

This is why the salvation He brings is called “integral salvation.” It is not only the “salvation of souls.” It’s the salvation of bodies, too. Jesus saves us, and because we are not just spirits, Jesus saves bodies, too. Not only are we physical, we are also relational. We live in a web of relationships that constitute our families, our political and economic structures, our lives of work and leisure. Jesus saves all these things, too. Sin has cast its wounds everywhere and ruins all these relationships. Jesus comes to restore them, and not only in a future world to come. He begins the process of restoration now. His Kingdom is among us, and as it grows, it transforms not only our souls, but the very substance of our bodies, our relationships, and our social structures. We are journeying not just to a spiritual heaven, but to a new heavens and a new earth. We will rise from the dead, in our bodies, and be in a renewed universe.

That is why the Church has a body of social doctrine. Recently, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace published a long document called The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. This document summarizes what the Church teaches about the family, the workplace, the political arena, our duty toward the poor, our obligation to promote peace, and many other aspects of life in this world. It should be noted that the social doctrine of the Church is just as necessary to believe and follow as the sacramental and spiritual doctrine. It is all truth from the same God; it is all part of the same Gospel.

The readings today reflect an aspect of this social doctrine.

We are called to recognize the importance of earthly goods and the teaching of the Church that the goods of the earth are meant for all people. In the first reading and in the Gospel, the lesson is that people are more important than money. When we mistreat people for the sake of monetary benefit, we harm our relationship with God. On the other hand, the proper use of money in the service of people strengthens our relationship with God.

This is a core tenet of the Church’s social doctrine. The priority of people over things is a theme that shapes the Church’s view of economics, health care, politics, and every realm of human activity. Governments exist for people, not the other way around. Economies exist for people, not the other way around. The dignity of the human person stands at the very center of all the social teachings of the Church.

These truths form the basis for a culture of life, because it is only when these priorities are reversed that societies or individuals feel free to resort to violence against people—including the violence of abortion and euthanasia—in order to “make things right” in some other regard. But a rejection of the human person can never make things right. Only in the affirmation of the person do we find the path to God.

Today, let us resolve to reinforce these priorities in our very being by practicing generosity. Some day, as God calls us from this life, we will have to part with all our earthly possessions. On that day we will need to eagerly embrace Him. We need to practice now, by voluntarily parting with some of our possessions and eagerly embracing God as we find Him in the lives of others who are needy. Let us give of our resources to promote the dignity of life. When is the last time we donated to a pregnancy resource center, in order to help people have the courage to choose life instead of abortion? When is the last time we gave generously to the poor and destitute? By our giving, let us do our part to make up for the injustices done by others. By affirming that people come first, let’s do our part to build the Culture of life.

Father Frank Pavone is the national director for Priests for Life and a member of CUF's advisory council. He is a contrubutor to Lay Witness magazine.

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