In our Gospel reading, this is without a question the most puzzling story that Jesus ever told. And the part that makes it so puzzling is the conclusion. If Jesus had ended the story by sternly rebuking the dishonest steward or manager, that would have made it easy for us to understand but Jesus did the exact opposite. He ended the story by commending the manager and even urged his disciples to learn from the man’s example.
The question therefore is: What was it about this man that Jesus found commendable? Obviously, Jesus was not commending the steward for his dishonesty or his selfishness. What then was it?
It is his being Prudent. According to Google or dictionary - To be prudent means – to show care and thought for the future… “looking ahead.” - in other translation: being shrewd (Luke 16:8). – being smart.
The man looked ahead and saw that he was soon to lose his job. Then on the basis of that foresight, he took decisive action and made provision for his future.
That is commendable. Most of us do the same thing. We use our foresight to plan our education, to get good jobs, to make money and to secure our financial future. We save for the rainy days – so to speak. We plan for our retirement. We do our best to prepare ourselves in case of sickness, accident and untimely death. We make every efforts to get ready for them and that is being prudent and wise.
The parable invites us to wonder why we do not apply the same prudence – shrewdness or smartness to the most important areas of life – our spiritual life.
Jesus summarized his appeal with these words: “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon."
In other words - You cannot give yourself totally to God and at the same time being so attached to the money you have or attached to the desire for the more money you wish you had.
The man in our Gospel story recognized the truth of that. His focus in life was unfortunately money, which became his master so he gave himself wholeheartedly to it. But for us - our goal is godliness, so we should give ourselves wholeheartedly to God… loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Here's a story: A young man proudly told his elder: I am going to study in the best college and graduate with highest honor.
The elder asked: Then what?
I am going to be successful and make a lot of money.
Then what? - asked the elder.
I am going to buy a big house, get married and have children.
Then what? - inquired the elder.
Well – said the young man: I am going to grow old.
Then what?
Well – (by this time his ego kind of deflated) – the young man said: I guess I am going to die.
Finally – the elder asked: Then what?
The young man was quiet. His vision did not take him beyond death.
Someone said: “All I want to know is where I’m going to die, so I will never go there.”
Today’s parable challenges us to be smart in the pursuit of the kingdom of God just as godless people are smart in their pursuit of selfish goals and ambitions. Jesus uses the example of the smart manager in his master’s business to teach us the need to be smart in the Lord’s service… because that is what life is all about.
Sooner or later we shall all be called upon to render an account of how we have done – how we have managed the blessings we have been given… what we have done with what we have… be it much or be it little.
We should likewise use or apply all our temporal and spiritual resources to gain the only thing that matters in the end: the kingdom of God… to be with God eternally in heaven… our true home… our eternal destiny.
Wisdom is seeing people, seeing ourselves, seeing things, events, reality – as God sees them… seeing ourselves as who we truly are – beloved sons and daughters of God – seeing that our lives here on earth are limited – we are just passing through - and that our true home is in heaven.
We need to pray for wisdom everyday –
Otherwise, without Godly wisdom, we will not know what to do with our money, power, knowledge, whatever we have. Therefore, we will still find ourselves feeling empty.,, not fulfilled and not truly happy.
We all pray for a long healthy life. So, if God were to give you a long healthy prosperous life – the question is – what then are you going to do with your long healthy life?
The question is: Have we lived our lives totally loving God, with all our heart, with all our being, with all our strength? Above all?
Yes, money, possessions, pleasures are good but pursue them for what they are – fleeting, temporary; they will not last.
Let us not be like the foolish rich man in the Gospel of Luke 12:16-21 – Jesus told another parable about the rich man who planned to build a bigger barn and told himself that he has ample goods laid up for many years; so, he told himself - take it easy, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
So – let us ask ourselves: Have we treated everybody we’ve met with love, care, and compassion – for the love of God?
Have we been working harder to store up treasure in heaven than storing up treasure here on earth? OR
Have we put ourselves, or anything or anybody else ahead of following Jesus in our lives?
The best athletes in the world, who personify perfection, made a lot of sacrifices to be what they are; to win the gold medal or the championship. They lived a very disciplined life, they gave up certain pleasures. For many months and years, they made up the time to exercise and practice because that is how badly they want to win the gold medal or the championship…it is pretty much their life.
The question to us is: Similarly, how much or how badly do you really want to go to heaven? … which is infinitely much more valuable than winning the gold medal or the championship.
The goal of living in God's presence on earth as it is in heaven, demands sacrifice and much discipline… just as what athletes go through – that is how they make it look so easy – after much training and discipline to prepare… and overcoming obstacles and challenges and staying focused on the goal.
At the end of our life, let us hope and pray that we can say what St. Paul told Timothy (2 Timothy 4:7) – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness - which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
1 Corinthians 2:9 - “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him.” We are in for big pleasant surprise if we love God.
How blessed we all are, through Christ, to be the beloved sons and daughters of such a loving God!
Always remember – God loves us beyond our wildest imagination. As Bishop Barron said: God is crazy in love with you – with me – God is crazy in love with us.
And so – let us love the Lord our God above all - with all our hearts, mind, soul – with all our strength. Amen. (so be it).
God bless…
(Cycle C – 25th Sunday – Sept. 18, 2022)
