Steward: I got my mind on my money and my money on my mind - Sunday's reading reflection

What kind of future are you investing in? Jesus seemed to praise a clever manager who used underhanded means to secure a profitable and happy future for himself. What's the point of this perplexing parable? The steward very likely overcharged his master's tenants for their use of the land and kept more than his fair share of the commission. 

Before news of his dismissal becomes public knowledge, the shrewd steward strikes a deal with his master's debtors. Such a deal won him great favor with the debtors. Since he acted as the landowner's personal agent, such a deal made his master look very generous and forgiving towards those who owed him money. Since the master could not undo the steward's cancellation of the debts without losing face and making his debtors resent him, he praises the steward for outwitting him as a generous and forgiving landowner. 

Jesus obviously thought that the example of a very clever manager who took thought for his future well-being would be a perfect illustration for anyone seriously interested in securing their future in God's kingdom. What lesson can we learn from this parable? The dishonest steward is commended for his shrewdness. The original meaning of "shrewdness" is "practical wisdom" or "prudence". It is the ability to deal with a given situation, to see what needs to be done and to do it.  Three other parables where Jesus commends this kind of practical wisdom are the parables of the wise builder who built his house on a rock (Matthew 24:7), the wise steward who orders his household well  (Matthew 24:45; Luke 12:42), and the wise virgins who remembered the oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:2-9).  

Jesus commends his listeners to be wise and prudent not just in the exercise of their material and financial resources, but more importantly in how they use these resources for advancing God's kingdom and the work of the gospel.

Jesus concludes his parable with a lesson on what controls or rules our lives (Luke 16:10-13). Who is the master (or ruler) in charge of your life? Our master is that which governs our thought-life, shapes our ideals, controls the desires of the heart and the values we choose to live by. We can be ruled by many different things – the love of money or possessions, the power of position, the glamor of wealth and prestige, the driving force of unruly passions and addictions. Ultimately the choice boils down to two: God or mammon. Mammon stands for material wealth or possessions or whatever tends to control our appetites and desires. There is one Master alone who has the power to set us free from the slavery of sin and addiction. That Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Adapted from Don Schwager)

Heaven can't be bought - Tomorrow's reading reflection

"For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it."

We can’t take it with us, and we can’t buy our way to heaven. We need to do good works because it’s the right thing to do, not because we expect to be handsomely paid for them with money, affirmation or fame.  None of those things can buy you love.  Nor will they buy you God.  And anyone who tells you otherwise isn't telling you the truth.  St. Paul says to us all when he says to St. Timothy, "But you, man of God, avoid all this."

(Adapted from Tami Whitney)

Self-sufficient Simon too upright for God's mercy - Tomorrow's reading reflection

Why did Jesus put the parable of the two debtors before his learned host, a rabbi and teacher of the people? This parable is similar to the parable of the unforgiving official (see Mt 18:23-35) in which the man who was forgiven much showed himself merciless and unforgiving. Jesus makes clear that great love springs from a heart forgiven and cleansed. "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4:8), "for love is of God" (1 Jn 4:7). The woman's lavish expression of love was proof that she had found favor with God. The stark contrast of attitudes between Simon and the woman of ill-repute, demonstrate how we can either accept or reject God's mercy. Simon, who regarded himself as an upright Pharisee, felt no need for love or mercy. His self-sufficiency kept him for acknowledging his need for God's grace.  Does the upright practice of your faith sometimes lead you into self-righteousness and self-sufficiency?  Are you grateful for God's mercy and grace?

(Adapted from Don Schwager)

Rationalizing rejection - Tomorrow's reading reflection

Just before we read the words of today’s gospel, Jesus has offered praise to John the Baptist and clearly identified him as the one who was to announce the coming of the Messiah.  Luke then points out that many, including the least likely, have received John’s baptism and “the righteousness of God.”  The Pharisees and scholars of the law, by contrast, have rejected John and thus rejected “the plan of God for themselves.”  Now, through this little parable, Jesus points out that, having decided against God’s plan, they rationalize their rejection of John naming his as too ascetic and their rejection of Jesus as too libertarian.  Once having rejected God’s plan, any excuse will do!

These lines remind us of the all-too-human tendency to find reasons to escape from the nearness of God for ourselves, “the plan of God” for us.  From the Garden of Eden to the present, the primal temptation is to believe that God does not have our best interests at heart and that to surrender to him and his plan for us is to become enslaved.  Fearing that “enslavement” above all, any excuse will do to keep us from that surrender: “I don’t have time to be more involved/to pray.”  “Plan of God for me?  Perhaps for some saints, but God isn’t that interested in my smallness.”  “How can God have a plan for me, when the world around me is such a mess?”

Do we carry fears of the “plan of God” for us?  Jeremiah (29, 11-14) encourages and consoles us:  “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.  When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me.  Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot.”

(Adapted from Rev. Rich Gabuzda)

Ancient Order pilgrimages to Rome :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Ancient Order pilgrimages to Rome :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Hope in the face of despair - Tomorrow's reading reflection

The miracle in today's Gospel took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son back to life again (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a lad marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he also triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day, just as he had promised his disciples. Jesus promises everyone who believes in him, that because he lives (and will never die again), we also shall have abundant life with and in him both now and forever (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord Jesus to give you abundant life and everlasting hope in the face of life's trials, misfortunes, and moments of despair?

(Adapted from Don Schwager)