Reflection for Sunday – September 21, 2025

Meghan KellogSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Amos 8: 4-7; 1 Timothy 2: 1-8; Luke 16: 1-13 
Preacher: Meghan Kellogg

Seduction. That’s the word that came to me after sitting with today’s Gospel. Jesus’ parable points to how easy it is to be seduced into thinking we are indeed responding justly, only for God to reveal to us our idol was never God at all. In fact, if we fail to recognize God’s presence in someone, something, or some cause, we are already on the road to being seduced. 

The steward in the parable is scheming to make sure his needs are met. Of course, we all hope our needs are satisfied, but what is significant in this parable is that the steward loses sight of God as he devises his plan. The steward neglects to ask: “God, how am I serving You?”

Let’s consider today’s Gospel in the context of how we interpret and respond to the news via social media. Our political landscape leaves many relationships frayed or unraveled.  Are we truly serving God in how we process and engage through social media with regard to politics?

As we respond online to those with whom we agree, do our words lift them up by putting someone else or another group down?

When we respond to those with whom we disagree, do we attack a person or a group of persons, instead of debating or dialoguing a perspective or platform?

It’s hard enough to place God first. Yet, it takes a millisecond to lose awareness of God’s guiding hand and unconditional love which extends from the people we embrace as “us” to the people we condemn as “them.” I admit, when I am reading a post I am consciously or subconsciously deciphering if someone is on my political team. 

Clearly, this is dualistic thinking, but thankfully by the grace of God, we can all become more mindful of how our hearts and minds not only affix these labels but also how we dangerously associate them with someone’s worth.  Let’s remember why someone became our friend on social media in the first place: perhaps we went to the same church, took a class or volunteered together, lived near each other, maybe they married into our family, fixed our roof, or worked with us. They are our companions on the journey—children of God.  We serve God first by widening our lenses and gazing at someone through the eyes of God. 

This is not to advocate for a “pollyanna-ism” of ignoring the imperative issues or believing the notion that we can get along with everyone. The Church’s social doctrine, particularly the Catholic social teachings are at the heart of our faith life.  The challenge is not to be seduced into thinking that belittling others or seeing them as separate from ourselves will help us address social issues.  We are called to counteract the steward and adopt a worldview that builds up the Kingdom of God, not one that is focused on cheating the system and protecting ourselves without ever considering the common good.

Pope Leo recently spoke to a group of young adults as part of a youth council representing various Mediterranean countries in both Latin-rite and Eastern Catholic churches about how dialogue is imperative. His wisdom rings forth: “To be a peacemaker is no easy matter…[it] may well be resisted by those who have an interest in perpetuating conflicts. Do not be afraid. Be sprouts of peace where the seed of hatred and resentment is growing; be weavers of unity where polarization and enmity prevail…”

This made me recall the interfaith conference held at Nazareth University as part of the Shannon series last April with Muslim, Jewish and Catholics speakers. People left electrified with positive energy. We dialogued about many topics, except Israel and Gaza. Why avoid the elephant in the room? As our Gospel reminds us, if we can’t trust one another in small matters, how can we trust one another in great ones? Recently, there was an article in a Vatican magazine, “Living the Governorate,” which captured pictures and content from this conference. Wow—Nazareth University in a Vatican magazine!!  Our world is hungry for the kind of dialogue that many have declared impossible. 

Friends, we all have to advocate politically, but let’s have the courage to continue doing the interior work. Our social media culture is set up to sow disunity. May we find a way to be more aware of this, and always, always, always, strive to see each other as a creation of God before we notice to which political group we belong.

Meghan Kellog
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