An Open Heart – Reflection on Luke 16:9-15
Jesus speaks to everyone regardless of if they are physically poor, poor in spirit, wealthy, or rich in spirit. These are not necessarily synonymous because the result depends more on how well the listener hears and receives. If you are generous with God’s gifts of your time, talent, or treasures, you will be rich in spirit. To be rich in spirit comes with serving the Lord as a member of the community of One. I have previously learned that to think rich people are not generous or willing to be or have not considered the possibility created a wall around my thoughts. I have been in amazing conversations with people of wealth. Their response to God of generosity beyond their wealth includes time and talent. An open heart with unconditional love is all it takes to have the orientation to share what it means to be rich in spirit.
The Pharisees Question Jesus by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 16:9-15 – Scripture*
9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.
10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
The Law and the Kingdom of God
14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. 15 So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 16:9-15 Reflection – An Open Heart.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 16 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.