25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

My dear parishioners,

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

Today’s Gospel consists of a parable told by Jesus (Lk 16:1-8a), supplemented by a series of sayings understood in some way to exemplify the point of the parable (Lk 16:8b–13). The problem is that scholars and commentators do not agree on the point of the parable itself. Almost every interpretation creates as many difficulties as it solves.

What shall I do? One approach to understanding this parable is to consider it to be about the prudent use of possessions. This is a topic that is very important to Lk. The steward in the parable is suspected of squandering his master’s property. What seems to be highlighted here is the steward’s astuteness and his cleverness in finding a way out of his crisis. His fiscal manipulations are not necessarily held up for imitation. The crisis was urgent, and the steward acted quickly, thus securing his future.

A shrewd steward. The steward had the authority to make binding contracts for his master. Interest rates were always included in the contract–even though Jews technically were forbidden to take interest from other Jews on loans and contracts. What the steward does is reduce the interest rate on each contract. In effect, he gets even at his master’s expense. Keep in mind this master is an absentee landlord, and the common peasantry would have no sympathy for him whatsoever. These rich landlords made their wealth off the backs of the peasantry. Even the master is impressed by the quick and prudent response the steward made to this crisis.

Use your possessions well. The collected sayings that make up the second half of this Gospel emphasize the correct way of using possessions and wealth. The disciple must be as prudent and clever as the steward-and have a clear understanding of who he or she really serves. Possessions can either easily be misused, or they can be used for the betterment of the kingdom of God. Wealth and possessions can often become idols and the one possessing becomes, in fact, possessed by them. Each one of these sayings has a shock value aimed to startle the hearer. The question emerges over and over: What is really at stake here?  What must I do to secure eternal life and not simply more possessions?

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved

 Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius