Gospel for November 6, 2009, Friday
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. | 11/06/2009 12:00 AM
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31st Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Rom 15:14–21
Gospel: Lk 16:1–8
Jesus told his disciples, “There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service. He summoned the steward and asked him: ‘What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.’
“The steward thought to himself: ‘What am I to do now? My master will surely dismiss me. I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.’ “So he called his master’s debtors one by one. He asked the first who came: ‘How much do you owe my master?’ The reply was: ‘A hundred jars of oil.’ The steward said: ‘Here is your bill. Sit down quickly and write there fifty.’ To the second he put the same question: ‘How much do you owe?’ The answer was: ‘A thousand bushels of wheat.’ Then he said: ‘Take your bill and write eighty.’ “The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.”
Commentary
Critics of the early Christians thought they should be reached through their eyes: by signs and wonders. Or through their ears: by impressive arguments and ideas. But God only reaches us through our hearts: hearts of humble submission to God’s will. A life, motivated by a desire to impress people, fails to be faithful to God’s call. Our lives must always bring people face to face with God and the cross of Christ. We live, not to show that God does what people want, but to call people to do what God wants. To believe in Him!
Paul always uses key words: wisdom and foolishness, strength and weakness. What the world thinks is wisdom and strength, God despises. The early Church did not have much to boast about in the world. Neither does any one of us have anything to boast about before God. We are sinful, weak and frail. But that’s not a problem for God; and it doesn’t mean we are without hope. God deliberately chooses us, who are weak. To shame the powerful!
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