The rich man in today’s gospel, finely adorned in purple linen, feasting upon delicious and plentiful food and seated in a comfortable home, is the definition of the “sin of indifference,” which is often called the greatest sin of all, while ignoring those around him. While abortion, murder and pillaging may get the “headlines,” the sin of indifference is truly the “anti-Christ” in our modern world

As children of God, we are called to be Christian stewards. As stewards, we are Gifted, Grateful and Generous. We are “Gifted” in that we realize that life and every aspect of it is a GIFT. We are “Grateful” in that we are learning to want little and possess lightly, recognizing that nothing should be taken for granted. Finally, we are “Generous” in that we are giving of ourselves to and through the Church to enable its great mission

Today’s gospel message is a bit unnerving from our modern point of view. But we must remember to view and consider things with “eyes of faith,” that is, from God’s perspective. We hear in this Sunday’s gospel that a “master heaps praise on his steward for his dishonesty” This parable not only seems confusing to us but has also baffled many a scripture scholars’ mind.

There are three great and well-known parables in this Sunday’s gospel: the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son—or they could be called the parables of the “shepherd, the householder, and the Father and Son. What do they have in common—save for finding something that is lost and then celebrating the “find” with a party?

Answering Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to be “real champions in the service of others,” the Archdiocese of Hartford’s social service agencies deliver care, with respect and compassion, to individuals and families of all faiths and nationalities throughout the three counties of our Archdiocese each day.

In today’s gospel Jesus employs hyperbole when He uses the dreaded word “hate” regarding discipleship and our relationships with family and friends. Of course He is not asking us to hate anyone; rather He is asking us to rightly order our priorities in life with regard to God and everyday life. In fact we are being called, as the late German (Lutheran) theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it, to know “The Cost of Discipleship.

As you may have heard, a major campaign being led by the Hartford Bishops’ Foundation is currently underway at St. Catherine of Siena Parish and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford. This week, we will be sharing the core area of the Forward with Faith Campaign for the Archdiocese and our parish. Educating to Reignite the Faith Catholic education is crucial to the future of our Archdiocese.