GOD, SERVICE, AND MAMMON

The term “mammon” is often simply translated as “money” though experts will squabble about that. But here let’s take it as “money” forgetting technicalities.

We have read many times that that Jesus said “you cannot serve both God and money.” We all want to serve God and not money. But is it possible to serve God and at the same time to let money serve us? After all, money is not necessarily bad in itself. Is it possible for a good Jesuit to twist that warning so that we can serve God and at the same time let money serve us? In our service of God money becomes and means and not an end, not a false god.

Any good Jesuit treasurer can be assured that the money that passes through his hands (and into his heart!) is precisely that – a means for the end of good service.

Arrupe International Residence has been blessed to have such a good treasurer in our brother, Father Christoporus Prabantara. Fr. Tito has faithfully and energetically used his skills to enable us to improve our skills without having to be worried about having the resources we need. Fr.Tito has cheerfully accepted to carry that burden for us, even while he has been carrying his own study burden.

Thank you, Fr. Tito, for all that you have been for us. As you now leave your treasurer’s office at Arrupe and continue to pursue your Jesuit mission, please be assured of our gratitude and our friendship. Thank you so much for so much!