31st Week of the Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Phil 3:17—4:1
Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
Gospel: Lk 16:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”
COMMITTED TO DO GOD’S WORK: A king asked his courtier whether he or God is great. The adviser said that the king was great. The king was pleased as well as surprised and asked for explanation. The king was told that he had the power to banish anyone from his kingdom. But God cannot do it as there is no border for his kingdom. The king appreciated the astuteness of the courtier who pleased him as well as established the greatness of God. Jesus praises the astuteness of the dishonest servant. Apparently, it is disheartening that Jesus appreciates dishonesty. But in fact, Jesus invites the Children of the kingdom to execute cleverly the projects of the kingdom, as done by the children of the world. As we do this, we have to be persistent and consistent. We shall pray for the grace to commit ourselves for the works of God.
Prayer: Oh Lord, we seek your grace to guide us in serving you.
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STEWARDS OF GOD’S RICHES: In the Gospel, Jesus uses the case of the wily manager to re-stimulate in us our vocation as stewards of God’s riches. Looking at the way the shrewd caretaker succeeds to regain the trust of his master. In dealing with his fellow brethren, man uses all skills possible to win their trust. It is part of our human nature to look good that many will sacrifice everything to safeguard their honor. However, in one’s relationship with God, a greater love for God and neighbour must be the aim to achieve. Our indifference in growing spiritually often constitutes the main reason of our lack of conversion. Our coldness and negligence for spiritual matters should rather question our loyalty towards God.
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GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES: You pick a lesson or two even from a wrongdoer. Once in a railway station people were waiting for a train hours behind the schedule. On a lonely bench sat a man making gestures, as if throwing away something, laughing wildly and occasionally shaking his head. It went on for some time. Someone asked, what happened? He replied, “I am telling jokes to myself to pass the time? It’s the late train!” A Christian is motivated to action, he is not to sit timid and downcast, he is asked to be eager and ingenious in his efforts to attain goodness. He must improvise on his possessions, his gifts. The picture the Lord is trying to draw is not a pathetic, lifeless smile-less Christian. But a mover and motivator, who can take the bull by its horns? If only we could seize the situations several times in the past waves of joy would have been our lot.
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THE VIRTUE OF PRUDENCE: Prudence is good judgement and wisdom in looking ahead. In the gospel of today, Jesus tells us that the master of the dishonest servant praised him for being prudent even if he was dishonest. Of course, Jesus does not praise dishonesty in order to highlight prudence. He calls those with such contradictions, “children of this world”. Whereas, “children of light” need to be prudent without sacrificing honesty. Prudence for the children of the light would be to prioritize the Kingdom of God in their lives. Even to use relationships and things of this world to gather treasures in heaven. “Prudence is always in season.” -Moliere.
DAILY GOSPEL 