Active participation in the Mass, advises Pope St. Pius X, is the indispensable source of the true Christian spirit, how to pray and how to live. The Epistle bids us reflect, who you are, “not debtors to the flesh,” by which “you shall die,” but “sons of God, joint heirs with Christ” by Whom you shall live.
The Gospel dramatizes this dignity and duty in the parable of the Steward, the meaning of which is “be wise,” you children of God. Use material treasures so as to make eternal friends. Exercise your talents in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and those whom you help to save, will help save you.
Finally, the Offertory assures salvation to the humble, warns the proud of their final humbling. Christianity is not so much a “giving up” but rather an “exchange” of “gifts” (Secret), the human for the Divine, to bring healing to “ soul and body” (Postcommunion).
Today is Feast of SS Abdon and Sennen Mm, probably Persians, who arrived in Rome and were martyred for the Faith during the reign of Decius about 250. Although not commemorated in the Mass using the newer rubrics, we ought pray to the martyrs to sustain our faith.