Word to the Wise
Friday, November 10, 2023 - Friday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 15:14-21 and Luke 16:1-8]For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of the light. [Luke]
NOVEMBER 10 ST. LEO THE GREAT, pope and doctor of the church
The lines above are the "moral of the story" from the parable of the Dishonest Steward. The steward in question is pretty shrewd and Jesus almost wistfully wishes that believers would show the same kind of shrewdness in regard to their faith. But this moral is often lost in the reactions to this parable that I have encountered. "Hey, RB, this guy is getting away with fraud! How can Jesus approve of his conduct?" Jesus is not approving fraud. He IS commending the steward's shrewdness.
A couple of things may help understanding the story. First of all, almost any generation loves "Robin Hood" stories - taking from the rich to give to the poor. The steward (knowing he is about to be dismissed) makes the poor tenants' lives easier by revising their contracts. (They don't know he has been fired!). So, those tenant farmers owe him! The Rich Man has to grin and bear it because he gains "honor" for supposedly telling the steward to change the contracts. The steward gains because he has friends to help him now that he is unemployed.
If one thinks about this parable in the light of three other parables - the Rich Man and Lazarus, and the Rich Fool, the parable of the talents - Jesus' aim can get a little clearer. Wealth should be an instrument for helping others. The steward knew what to do in regard to his ultimate loss of job. He used material things shrewdly, even if nefariously. We have to be careful to see what the story means before we shout: "It's never right to do evil in order to accomplish good!" Should we ask ourselves why we love Robin Hood stories? AMEN
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