Reading 1: (Amos 8:4–7)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 113)
Reading 2: (1 Timothy 2:1–8)
Alleluia: (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Gospel: (Luke 16:1–13)
Reflection
This Sunday’s reading and reflection is about corruption of power. Is power supposed to be corrupt?
My friends, we must first of all state clearly that if not well understood and properly interpreted, the parable of today’s Gospel passage poses some confusion. At first sight, it may seem as though Jesus encourages us to be crafty and cunning, to make ends meet even through dubious means, to steal, to cheat, or, as some put it, to “use what you have to get what you want.”
This appears so because the astute servant in the Gospel parable had first been wasteful of his master’s resources. Then, when he knew his dismissal was imminent, he used his sense. He went to his master’s debtors and entered into negotiations with them to reduce their debt. That was his own initiative. Not because he loved his master, not because he loved his job, not even because he loved the debtors, but because he was being calculative. He used it as a means to make friends with his master’s debtors so that after his dismissal, they would welcome him into their homes. After all, one good turn deserves another.
Where was this initiative all the time that he had been employed? And after bringing in part of the debt the debtors had paid, his master was pleased with him for his act. Half a loaf is always better than none. At least part of the debt had been brought in. This is why Jesus praised him for his astuteness. See how sharp and proactive he was.
This is what Jesus compares: the children of the world know how to use their sense to get what they want. Can the children of light not also ask themselves: Should I be sacked and sent to hell, what can I do now so that I may save myself from that embarrassment and shame? What can I do now to make friends with Jesus, who will welcome me into his home in heaven?
We therefore need to do two things: Be wise and honest stewards of God’s gifts. And be charitable to the poor, because charity to the poor cancels innumerable sins and will win us a place in heaven.
Now this master is God. We are the servant. He has employed us in his vineyard and given us many gifts and talents. How dutiful are we? Like this servant, we too have been employed by God. We are workers in his vineyard. He has entrusted us with many talents and resources. Are we dutiful? Are we wise and honest in our discharge of duties? Can we say this is the best version of ourselves as we go about our daily activities?
Are we honest with our money and other gifts that God has blessed us with? Are we dutiful parents of our children and of our property? Do we properly look out for what God has given us?
Friends, are we wasteful of what God has given us? It could be our money. God has blessed us, but we could be wasteful. We might be extravagant in spending, spending on what is not necessary. Are we like this servant. We could also be wasteful of food. God has blessed us with food, while many have none. Yet we throw food away. We are wasteful.
We are wasteful of talents. God has given us talents, and we let them lie fallow. There are others who wish they had them. Some of us can sing beautifully, what stops you from joining a choir? Some of us can write, what stops you from writing a book, from publishing something?
We are also wasteful of time. See how days go by. What do we really achieve? Scroll nonstop. Time goes by, while others who wished for more time are no longer alive. Yet we waste ours.
We are wasteful of life. God has given us years, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90. What do we make of them? Some have not lived up to our years. Are we wasteful of the life God has given us?
Then we are no different from the servant in today’s Gospel passage. God tells us, as the master told the servant: soon He will call us to Himself, and that will be in death. We will no longer be stewards. We shall be called to render account to Him of our stewardship. When death strikes, it will be the end. Will it be a good balance sheet or a bad one?
Now is the time to begin using our sense like the steward. Fix up our affairs. Plan for the rainy days. Ask ourselves: If you or I were to go to hell, what must we do now to prevent it?
The first reading gives us an option: charity to the poor. Do not maltreat them. Do not exploit or cheat them. Pay their just wages. Charity cancels innumerable sins. This is one sure way to behave like the astute servant and prepare a home in heaven.
The second reading tells us to be prayerful. Pray for all. Pray also for ourselves, so that we may not be carried away by laziness and sloth, but be dutiful and devoted servants. So that when our stewardship on earth is ended, our Lord will say: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come into the inheritance prepared for you.”
Let's be wise and honest stewards of God’s gifts. They are not meant to be wasted, but to be used for our good and the good of all. If we have been wasteful, remember: a time will come when stewardship will end. We shall stand before God’s judgment throne to give an account.
Look at ourselves now, while we still have life and time. Start using our senses to make better. If not, we might not have a place to enter when that stewardship is taken away.
Today’s mass readings were heavy. They called us into a deep self interrogation. How are we all doing?
Have a wonderful Sunday, and let us be great stewards of God’s gifts to us all.
Amen.
Pal Ronnie
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