Today’s gospel puzzled me for years, from the moment I first read it. It seems that Jesus is praising fraud.
Unsatisfying Answers
I asked fellow college students in a Bible study about it, but got unsatisfying answers. I heard homilies about it—one in particular, when the priest made an elaborate joke about the passage—which did not help. This passage reminded me of the time I called the IRS with a question about my tax return. By the time I hung up, I still didn’t know the right answer, but I knew the answer I just got wasn’t it.
I don’t remember when the illuminating moment came, but it came with the help of the words immediately following today’s passage, which we will hear tomorrow: “Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world’s goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.”
The Dishonest Steward
We are the dishonest steward. Because of original sin, because of the various sins we commit, we will be discharged from this life: we will die.
We have time, however, to prepare ourselves. In the parable, the steward made arrangements with his master’s debtors, using the authority he still had to help them out. In this way he hoped they would be grateful and help him out when he needed it in the world outside his master’s domain.
We need to use the things of this world to prepare for ourselves a welcome reception in the next life. Do we have a good income? How do we spend it? Do we pile up a heap of things, or do we use it to a good purpose, a purpose rooted in faith and charity?
How do we spend our time? Do we spend hours on fleeting entertainments, or do we dedicate ourselves to a life of prayer and service?
Everyman
In the late medieval play Everyman, Everyman is called to prepare for death. He panics, and seeks help from Fellowship, Kindred and Cousin, and Goods, which symbolize the companions and the wealth he dedicated himself to while in this life. Initially they protest that they will stay with Everyman forever, but when they hear of his impending death, they abandon him.
It is only Knowledge and Good Deeds that prepare Everyman for confession. In this way he is prepared to enter eternity.
The life we have received and enjoy is a monstrously beautiful gift. It is true that there are many good things in this life we can enjoy. There are many ways of spending time in which we can experience the grandeur of creation. But we should never forget that the greatest way we can live our life is to become a good person. The greatest use of our gifts is to help others and glorify God. In this way we will be preparing for ourselves a joy beyond all our imaginings in heaven.
You are always enlightening in your explanations. God works through you and you are blessed.
I find your reflection on this Gospel passage quite inspiring and illuminating, namely, to use what is at my disposal at for a lasting happiness. Remain blessed Fr.