THE DISHONEST STEWARD…

Philippians 3:17-21;4:1
17 Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.20 But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.1 Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Luke 16:1-8 

1 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’
3 And the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.4 I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’
5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’8 The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

MEDITATION

St PAUL makes an appeal to the Philippi leadership to recognize the praiseworthy priestly stewards who live exemplary lives as they aught to, and to deal firmly with those whose gluttonous hedonistic lifestyle have become an embarressment to the Church to the extent that they miserably fail to properly excecute their priestly duties.

THE GOSPEL READING: Knowing that he was about to be dismmised for his financial misdeeds the sly steward approached his suppliers, ordering them to reduce the tonnage of the outstanding supplies to hopefully win their favor, should he find himself penniless without a job. To be sure this steward had the authority to grant leniency to indigent suppliers.

To be sure, Christ does not promote theft or underhanded behavior in the workplace. Our Lord tell the story to highlight the cunning dexterous intentions of the steward who offered a discount, giving relief to his suppliers who perhaps struggled to meet their crop tonnage obligations. The sacrament of penance also known as confession (Jn 20:22-24) is the place where supernatural grace is given; our dishonest infected sinful soul is cleared, giving us another opportunity to reconcile with God. Let us make use of this God given discount offering to clear our slate of sin before it is too late. 

LET US PRAY:Psalms 122:1-5 

1 A Song of Ascents. Of David.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days