Word to the Wise
Friday, November 4, 2022 - Friday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Phil 3:17-4:1 and Luke 16:1-8]"For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light." [Luke]
NOVEMBER 4 ST. CHARLES BORROMEO
The parable of the "Dishonest Steward" seems to provoke some indignant responses from some folks. How can Jesus "commend" the rogue steward for his conduct? The problem with their reaction is that it is not the conduct that Jesus commends, but the prudence! If a dishonest steward (children of darkness) can show such prudence and cleverness, why can't the "honest stewards" (children of light) do the same? It's worth looking at what happens in this story.
In Middle Eastern society in Jesus' day and now, "honor" (reputation, "creds") is highly valued, along with reciprocal favors. The rogue steward takes advantage of both. The debtors do not know that he has been fired. They assume he is acting in the name of his Master, which means it is the Master who is showing generosity in reducing the debts. Thus the Master gains "honor" and the Steward makes friends who will be obliged to help him just as he helped them. He can claim that he reduced his "commission" on the transactions as well as reducing the debt. It's a kind of "win-win-win" situation, even if it's a shady deal. The audiences of Jesus' day would love the "Robin Hood" aspect of the story. This parable is not the only one of its kind to nudge the faithful toward taking initiative. The story of the "talents" would be another example. (Luke 19:11-27) There Jesus commends the servants who increase the Master's wealth by their initiative.
It is easy to come to think of one's religious faith as a kind of "given" which doesn't need development or deepening. We can think that all we need to do is to "go to the sacraments" and put money in the collection basket. This can happen simply because we are born in a Catholic family - an "accidental" Catholic. Jesus commends an "intentional" faith that leads to initiative in living and preaching the gospel. Making use of "worldly prudence" to advance the gospel is worth considering! AMEN