My friends, the message of today’s Scriptures really couldn’t be clearer – live attentively – see the world through open eyes, listen with ears connected to your heart – seek balance in your lives. The message is clear that is, for those who are looking for more than a literal meaning. 

   Let’s take a closer look:

• The prophet Amos addresses the Israelites – “Listen, you who trample on the needy and try to suppress the poor…”  these actions will never be forgotten – not “a single thing you have done.”
• The psalmist in number 34 clearly states, “our God hears the cry of the poor…”
• Paul instructs Timothy to “live [a] godly and reverent life,” [praying] “for everyone, especially for rulers and those with authority.”
• And finally, Luke shares our brother Jesus’ words to basically look for balance in our lives.  “You cannot worship both God and money.” 

   With that much of a beginning, let’s look closer so as to really tie these Scriptures into our daily lives.  The 1^st reading from the prophet Amos clearly states that our God will not look kindly on us if we “trample on the needy and suppress the poor.”  So what does that actually mean  for our daily lives, up close and personal?

   In a general way, as citizens of our United States, at least, but around our world too, we should be looking and hearing with eyes wide open and ears fully tuned in to those who live with less than the basics of life – we should try and understand why that is –what part do I play in this fact?

   In my reading, my people who live with less than the basics, don’t want to live that way – and do want, in reality, to take care of themselves, and sometimes just need a hand up when misfortune happens.  There are many stories out there of people who were, as we say, “on the top of their game,” and very quickly, it seemed, lost everything.  There but for the grace of God, any of us could find ourselves. 

   The multitude of reasons that people can find themselves “in need,” isn’t a “black and white” thing, easily or simply understood; but the least that any of us can do is to listen, to show compassion, and to help if we can.  The only thing we can’t do is ignore the stated problem if in fact we claim to be human, and for us, Christian too. 

   Today’s gospel from Luke is a bit confusing if we simply look at the meaning literally.  We may wonder if Jesus is praising the steward for being dishonest and simply thinking of himself.  Exegetes tell us, “No,” that what Jesus is uplifting is the steward’s “creativity” in finding “a way” to solve his problem. 

   Taking this lesson forward, the message is clear for us too – looking at our world, our Church, we must find ways toward needed solutions, even, like in the example of the steward in today’s gospel, the answer may not be perfect, but the needs of all are addressed in some way.  Jesus speaks to the complexity we find at times in doing our best, “If you can trust others in little things, you can trust them in greater.” 

   Sometimes, we just need to move in faith because the “balance” we seek in doing the most good is found there. For myself personally, and other women priests – we had to move ahead following our God-given calls to pastor God’s people without the approval of the powers that be – not a perfect solution, but one that has brought much good to many.  As the psalmist says of it, and we sang beautifully, “Our God hears the cry of the poor,” and helps us if we are willing, to find a way. 

   We get a clearer instruction from Paul to Timothy in how to do our best, even if seemingly, not always enough… “live a godly and reverent life.”  This tells me that we have to first decide what we value in life – for ourselves and others, and then do all we can, and again, even if not enough, to make life better where it is not.  And the piece that “seals the deal, “ so to speak, is that we “pray for everyone, especially for rulers and those in authority.”  To me, it seems, in both Church and State, those prayers are more than needed. 

   Looking one more time at Jesus’ words today that we cannot “worship both God and money,” I would like to suggest that “money,” is a catchall word for anything that gets in the way of our hearing the message of our God – it may be in fact, money, or power, our need to control, other riches, passions, and it is good to know what it is that distracts us, takes us away from doing the good we might do in our world, except for this distraction. 

   In conclusion then my friends, the world in which we live can seem sad and hopeless at times, but I want you to know that I see, as does our God, the good that you all are about in your lives, and I am here to encourage you to keep on – it all matters – it does! Our God hears the laments we sigh from day to day, and stands by supporting us and loving us as we work toward the betterment of all in our country, Church, and world.

Amen? Amen!