Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the 31st week in ordinary time, November 7, 2025

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Singapore. Romans 15: 14-21; Rs psalm 98: 1.2-3ab.3cd-4; Luke 16: 1-8.INITIATIVE OFBELIEVERS The title for ourmeditation today is: Initiative of Believers. In a village settlement, the roadto the primary school is always flooded for several days even though the rain alreadystopped. As a consequence, people always take off their sandals or shoes, thenroll up their trousers so they don't get wet and dirty. The teachers who passby there, always took off their shoes and rolled up their trousers. Studentsalso do the same. But there occurs something special. Rio, a grade 4elementary school boy, collected several stones he found around the place. Heput a stone along the puddle. As a result, anyone who passes there after Rio,can stand and walk on these stones, without having to take off the shoes androll up the trousers. Rio made an initiative that nobody else thought of. The word"initiative" comes from the Latin "itiare" or"initium" means starting or beginning. For a job or work, theinitiative means to take or make the first step and make a breakthrough. In theGospel passage we have just heard, the Lord Jesus explains that the rich masterpraises his clever employee, even though he is dishonest because he manipulatesthe data of his master's debts. This"clever" attitude is interpreted as the ability to forsee the future.The employee represents many of us who often worried about tomorrow. There arepeople who save a lot in the bank. The other invest many in the form ofproperties. Still others want to guarantee their future by sending theirchildren and grandchildren to the best schools and universities. These are allforms of initiative. People can do some initiatives through dishonest ways likethat employee of the rich master, or vice versa in true and honest ways. Wewill be pleased by God for being able to count for our future, for a better andjoyful life. For the spirituallife, we need spiritual initiatives. Saint Paul describes his future as brightas Jesus Christ, so that he could serve other nations, especially the Romans asexpected. They were promised a glorious spiritual dwelling in the future as childrenof light, to enjoy happiness in the Kingdom of God. Initiative in faith teachesus to take the first step to enlighten those who are confused, anxious,hopeless and lost in their faith journey; being a peacemaker in the midst ofhatred and anger; become the creator of justice rather than the ghost ofinjustice; become a bearer of truth rather than spreading lies and deception.And much more. This is the future that God wants.Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten us always in the path of our lives day byday, that we may walk without barriers toward you. Glory to the Father and tothe Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...