Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide (For September 26, 2025 P&W)

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide

September 21, 2025 (Cycle C, Year I) – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Community Word: True followers of Christ live a life of love, self-sacrifice, and righteousness.

Theme: We are true followers of Christ when we are prudent and faithful stewards of God’s gifts.

Promise: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.” (Lk 16:10a)

Reflection

Our readings this week confront us with one of the great challenges of Christian discipleship: the call to be faithful stewards of the gifts entrusted to us by God. The parable of the dishonest steward may seem puzzling at first glance, but it tells us about how we are to live as disciples. Jesus does not praise dishonesty, but He highlights prudence and foresight. The steward, though corrupt, acted decisively in order to secure his future. In contrast, disciples are invited to be equally decisive and wise, but in the service of God’s kingdom rather than self-interest.

At the heart of this teaching is the principle of stewardship. Everything we possess – our wealth, time, talents, opportunities, and even the very breath of life, is a gift from God. We are not owners but caretakers, entrusted to use these gifts for God’s purposes. When we see life in this way, the call becomes clear: every choice, every use of resources, every act of generosity is an opportunity to build up the kingdom of God.

The first reading from Amos warns against injustice and exploitation of the poor. It reminds us that stewardship without righteousness becomes hollow and corrupt. God sees and remembers every act of oppression. True stewardship must therefore include a preferential concern for the poor and marginalized. To be prudent stewards, we must use what we have, not merely for personal security, but for the common good, lifting up those who are most in need.

Paul, in the second reading, exhorts us to prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving for all people. Here again, stewardship extends beyond material resources to the spiritual dimension. Our prayer life is a form of stewardship, where we bring before God the needs of the world, our leaders, and our communities. Faithful stewardship means being vigilant not only with what is tangible but also with our responsibility to pray, witness, and act with righteousness.

Jesus’ statement in the Gospel makes the choice unavoidable: “You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Lk 16:13). Wealth itself is not evil, but the love of money can easily enslave us, diverting our hearts from God’s purposes. To serve God as Master is to place every resource –material, spiritual, and relational, at His disposal. When we are faithful even in the smallest matters, God can trust us with greater responsibilities, even the “true riches” of eternal life.

This week’s promise assures us: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.” (Lk 16:10a). Each small act of generosity, honesty, and faithfulness contributes to our growth as disciples. God does not overlook the little sacrifices made in love. On the contrary, He uses them to shape us into faithful stewards who can be entrusted with greater mission, deeper love, and eternal rewards.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are the source of all blessings. Teach me to be a faithful steward of the gifts You have entrusted to me. Help me to use my time, resources, and talents wisely, not for selfish purposes, but for Your glory and the good of others. Free me from greed and make me trustworthy in both small and great matters. I choose You as my only Master, and I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:

1. In what areas of my life am I called to practice greater faithfulness and honesty in stewardship?

2. How can I use my resources, both material and spiritual, to uplift the poor and support God’s mission?

3. What concrete choices can I make daily to ensure that I am serving God and not mammon?

This Week's Daily Mass Reading Guide:

September 21, 2025 (Sun) – Am 8:4-7/ Ps 113:1, 2, 4-8/ 1 Tim 2:1-8/ Lk 16:1-13

September 22, 2025 (Mon) – Ezr 1:1-6/ Ps 126:1-9/ Lk 8:16-18

September 23, 2025 (Tue) – Ezr 6:7-8, 12, 14-20/ Ps 122:1-5/ Lk 8:19-21

September 24, 2025 (Wed) – Ezr 9:5-9/ Tb 13:3-4, 7-8/ Lk 9:1-6

September 25, 2025 (Thu) – Hg 1:1-8/ Ps 149:1-6, 9/ Lk 9:7-9

September 26, 2025 (Fri) – Hg 2:1-9/ Ps 43:1-4/ Lk 9:18-22

September 27, 2025 (Sat) – Zec 2:5-9, 14-15/ Jer 31:10-13/ Lk 9:43-45

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16