In today’s Gospel, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on what it truly means to be a faithful steward of the gifts God has entrusted to us. The steward in the Gospel, much like the prodigal son, squandered what was not his. But how often do we do the same? Our time, our treasure, and our talents—none of these belong to us. Everything we possess is a gift from God, and one day, we will give an account for how we used them.

St. Ignatius of Loyola once said that if you only have time for one prayer a day, let it be an examination of conscience. Every evening, we should look at our words, thoughts, and deeds—have they honored God, or have we wasted His graces? Catholics are sometimes outdone in generosity by others, but Fr. Chris reminds us that our stewardship extends far beyond money. We are called to wisely use the spiritual graces received in Baptism, Confirmation, and the Sacraments to build up the Kingdom of God.

Everything—our freedom, our relationships, even our suffering—can be invested for eternal gain. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” (Luke 12:48) God expects us to use His gifts for the salvation of souls, including the souls in Purgatory. When we pray for them, we make an eternal investment in the treasury of grace—a divine account from which both they and we can draw. As St. Faustina wrote, “Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth. It purifies the soul.” (Diary, 342)

Fr. Chris and the Marian Fathers pray nightly for the deceased, especially during this first week of November, when the Church grants special indulgences for visiting cemeteries. When we pray for the dead, we gain spiritual riches that last forever—far more valuable than anything we could earn in this life. The world plans for retirement; the faithful plan for eternity. True wealth lies not in what we keep, but in what we give away for love of God and neighbor.

Even when criticized or misunderstood, Fr. Chris calls us to persevere in charity. The mission of the Marian Fathers is to proclaim Divine Mercy to the world—to never stop teaching truth with love, even amid suffering or ridicule. Let us stand united as Marian Helpers, offering prayers, sacrifices, and mercy to build up that eternal treasury of grace.

To deepen your understanding of the Sacraments and how they pour grace into our lives, get Understanding the Sacraments by Fr. Chris Alar at ShopMercy.org. And visit the link in our bio to learn more about praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or to request prayers from the Marian Fathers.

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