2 Cor 12:1-10 / Matthew 6:24-34
The word "opposite" will give us ideas like different, contrary, incompatible, irreconcilable, contradictory, etc.
Some examples of opposites are hot-cold, bright-dark, rich-poor, above-below.
So one is mutually exclusive of the other in the usual understanding of the term.
So what Jesus taught in the gospel is a typical example of that mutually exclusive concept - you cannot be the slave of two masters; you cannot be the slave of both of God and money.
But going beyond the concept of being mutually exclusive, can there be a complementation in that one can lead to the other?
In the 1st reading, St Paul talked about the thorn in his flesh to curb his pride and it has become his weakness.
But when the Lord told him that "My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness." he in turn was able to say that he was quite contented with his weakness, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies he went through for Christ's sake. For when he is weak that he is strong.
His weakness has become his strength, although the two concepts are opposites and are mutually exclusive.
Similarly, and like St. Paul, money may be our weakness and we also can't do without it.
But just as the Lord told St. Paul that His grace is enough, may the Lord also reveal to us how to use money wisely and to help the poor.
May the Lord teach us how to master money and by our charity may it be of service to others.